Does Image-Guided Surgery Reduce Complications?
Key points • Routine use of image-guided surgery in functional endoscopic sinus surgery has not been definitively found to decrease risk of major complications. • There seem to be significant…
OTOLARYNGOLOGY
Imaging of the Paranasal Sinuses
Key points • Preoperative computed tomography (CT) is necessary to evaluate the anatomy of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, identify anatomic variations, determine the extent of disease, and identify…
Early Practice
Key points • The anterior, inferior portion of the maxillary sinus may harbor diseased tissue that cannot be addressed medically and may be difficult to access endoscopically. In this situation,…
Medicolegal Issues in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery and Complications
Complications occur during and after endoscopic sinus surgery. Complications leading to temporary or most commonly permanent injury often are involved in litigation for malpractice. This article concentrates on areas of…
Medicolegal Implications of Common Rhinologic Medications
As otolaryngologists, we prescribe many medications to our patients. The objective of this article is to review the potential side effects and medicolegal risks of the common medications used to…
Neurologic Complications and Treatment
Risk is inherent with all surgical procedures. Most endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is uncomplicated. Among the many complications inherent with ESS are the neurologic complications, which include cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea,…
Hemorrhagic Complications of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Major complications during endoscopic sinus surgery are rare and occur in 0.36% to 3.1% of patients. Postoperative hemorrhage accounts for 23% to 39% of complications. Despite being rare, major hemorrhage…
Olfaction in Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery
Olfactory dysfunction is a common complaint for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, because smell loss decreases a patient’s quality of life. Smell loss is caused by obstruction from polyps, nasal discharge,…
Orbital Complications Associated with the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Key points • Orbital injuries are rare but potentially catastrophic complications of sinus surgery. • Sinus surgeons must be able to recognize anatomy and disease predisposing to orbital injury and…
Pitfalls in Sinus Surgery
Key points • Detailed evaluation of preoperative imaging is essential for appreciating variants involving the skull base, orbital wall, bony irregularities, and critical structures such as the optic nerve and…
