Complications of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Case Series Study from Mosul City

Abstract

Background: Patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery may develop complications because of the sinuses’ proximity to the orbit and skull base. Endoscopic sinus surgery is done for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps (CRSwNP), chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps (CRSsNP) not responding to the medical treatment, and antrochoanal polyps. Objectives: The present study aims to evaluate the complications of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in Mosul city. Methods: A case series study of 70 patients of different age groups who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps (CRSwNP), chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps (CRSsNP), and antrochoanal polyps at Al-Jamhoory Teaching Hospital, Mosul, Iraq, for the period from October 2011 to August 2012. Results: The age of patients ranged from 11 to 65 years, with a mean of 33.1 years. Thirty-four patients (48.57%) were male, and 36 patients were female (51.43%). Minor complications were observed in 25.71% of our patients. No major complications occurred. Conclusion: Although functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is an effective and minimally invasive technique, intraoperative and postoperative complications can still arise. Fortunately, complications are mostly minor, but patients should be informed about these complications. We recommend further studies on complications of endoscopic sinus surgery with more patients and a longer follow-up period.