Revision endoscopic frontal sinus surgery for refractory chronic rhinosinusitis via modified agger nasi approach

OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical effects of revision endoscopic frontal sinus surgery (RESS) through modified agger nasi (MAN)–middle turbinate resection on refractory chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). METHODS: We reviewed 156 patients who were treated for refractory CRS from February 2012 to August 2014. These patients had been diagnosed with refractory CRS by computed tomography and endoscopy and had received several surgical and medical treatments in the past, but their condition had not been cured. They were divided into the observation group (RESS through MAN–middle turbinate resection, n = 78) and the control group (endoscopic sinus surgery, n = 78). Complete or partial control of the patient’s symptoms and signs suggested that the treatment was effective, and no improvement in the symptoms and signs indicated that the treatment was ineffective. RESULTS: The 6-month treatment efficacy rate was significantly higher in the observation group (91.03%) than in the control group (71.79%). The observation group had a significantly lower complication rate (7.69%) and recurrence rate (3.85%) than the control group (17.95% and 12.82%, respectively). CONCLUSION: RESS through MAN–middle turbinate resection together with adequate perioperative preparation has a significant effect on the outcome of refractory CRS and is worthy of clinical promotion.