Uncinate Preserving Procedures: A Leading Step toward Conservation in Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Uncinate process is thought to be having role in controlling airflow dynamics at the osteo meatal complex. Excision of uncinate process during traditional functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) affects these airflow patterns increasing the flow in the sinuses in inspiration and decreasing it during expiration. Conventional way of performing a FESS always includes uncinectomy. However, preservation of uncinate process during surgery leads to the protection of the opened sinuses and avoid the attack of direct airflow to the sinus along with maintaining the normal nasal drainage from the sinus cavities. There is no clear evidence or consensus in the issue and regarding the feasibility of successful access in the ethmoids and sphenoids and beyond by preserving this immensely important land mark. In this study, we have tried to see that whether it is feasible to conserve uncinate as a future eland mark and preserve more normal nasal physiology compared with the resection of uncinate process. How to cite this article Gupta AK, Patro SK. Uncinate Preserving Procedures: A Leading Step toward Conservation in Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery. Clin Rhinol An Int J 2015;8(1):12-14.