Postoperative rhinosinusitis and microbiological outcomes following endoscopic endonasal approaches: A retrospective analysis of 300 patients.

Background: Endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEAs) are an efficient way to manage skull base lesions; however, studies regarding postoperative rhinosinusitis are limited. This study analyzed the incidence of postoperative rhinosinusitis, the associated risk factors, microbial species, and antibiotic usage in patients who underwent EEA.

Methods: Patients who underwent EEAs at a tertiary referral hospital between July 2015 and May 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. Postoperative rhinosinusitis was defined as the presence of a purulent nasal discharge on postoperative endoscopic examination. The mucopus was aspirated and subjected to bacterial culture analysis. The culture results of various groups were analyzed.

Results: This study included 300 patients, and the incidence of post-EEA rhinosinusitis was 59.7%. History of endonasal surgery was an independent predictive factor for post-EEA rhinosinusitis (odds ratio [OR]: 2.54 [1.28-5.05], p = 0.007). Lesions in the anterior skull base were associated with prolonged use of antibiotics for rhinosinusitis during postoperative care (OR: 3.91 [1.32-11.52], p = 0.013). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common causative pathogen (52.3%), followed by methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) (20.7%), Pantoea dispersa (14.4%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (52.3%). P. aeruginosa was more significant in the complex reconstruction group than in the control group. While most patients with post-EEA rhinosinusitis experienced a transient clinical course, one female patient underwent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for prolonged rhinosinusitis.

Conclusion: Rhinosinusitis is common in the postoperative stage of the EEA. As it usually lasts for a short duration and is treatable with proper medication, aggressive nasal care during the postoperative period is required to prevent related nasal morbidities.