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Frontal sinus fractures — their suppurative complications and surgical management
Author(s) -
Larrabee Wayne F.,
Travis Lawrence W.,
Tabb Harold G.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-198011000-00008
Subject(s) - medicine , frontal sinus , surgery , osteomyelitis , sinus (botany) , sinusitis , abscess , reduction (mathematics) , epidural abscess , ablation , botany , geometry , mathematics , biology , genus
A series of 54 patients treated for frontal sinus fractures at Charity Hospital, New Orleans, from 1967‐77 is presented. There were a large number of suppurative complications related to the various medical and surgical managements. Initial treatments included: observation (15), exploration and open reduction (22), obliteration (16), and ablation (1). Four patients with open fractures were not explored and developed recurrent frontal sinusitis; one progressed to an osteomyelitis. Two with posterior table fractures were not explored and developed meningitis (one was then obliterated and developed an epidural abscess). Three patients developed frontal sinus abscesses after obliterations for anterior wall fractures. Fat gave fewer complications than the other commonly used materials. Exploration is advocated for most frontal sinus fractures. Obliteration should be avoided when possible. Fat is the material of choice when obliteration is required.