Open AccessEndoscopic Removal of Fungus Balls in Maxillary Sinuses
Author(s) -
Lo Wu Chia,
Liao LiJen,
Cheng PoWen
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599812451438a232
Subject(s) - medicine , clearance , maxillary sinus , saline , surgery , sinusitis , complication , chronic rhinosinusitis , sinus (botany) , anesthesia , biology , urology , botany , genus
Objective We aimed to compare between a newly developed instrument, powered saline irrigation system, and the traditional technique in the complete removal of fungus balls in maxillary sinuses during functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Method Between July 2009 and July 2011, unilateral maxillary sinus fungus balls were removed with the traditional method in 17 patients and with the assistance of powered saline irrigation in 12 patients. The duration, complication and recurrence by these 2 procedures were compared. Results The fungus balls could be efficiently cleared in all (100%) maxillary sinuses. However, the mean duration for the traditional method group was 397 ± 42 seconds, significantly longer than 155 ± 29 seconds for the powered saline irrigation group ( P <. 001). In the traditional method group, 4 patients (24%) developed focal maxillary mucosal detachment during the procedure and 1 patient (6%) developed chronic bacterial maxillary sinusitis later, requiring a secondary endoscopic sinus surgery. Neither operative complication nor disease recurrence occurred during the follow‐up period in the powered saline group. Conclusion Our series confirms the efficacy of functional endoscopic sinus surgery in the treatment of maxillary fungus balls. The assistance of powered saline irrigation provides more timesaving procedures and less postoperative complications.