Technique and results of the anterior-to-posterior-to-anterior approach in revision endoscopic sinus surgery.

Objective: To perform the anterior-to-posterior-to-anterior technique in revision endoscopic sinus surgery, and to assess the effects and safety of this technique in treating recurrent chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps.

Methods: One hundred and thirteen patients with recurrent chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps received anterior-to-posterior-to-anterior revision endoscopic sinus surgery. This surgical technique has 5 important steps, including exposing the choana, enlarging the maxillary sinus ostium, opening the sphenoid sinus and posterior ethmoid sinus anteriorly to posteriorly, resecting the ethmoid sinus posteriorly to anteriorly, and opening the frontal sinus posteriorly to anteriorly. The choana, maxillary sinus ostium, middle turbinate remnant, and the roof and lateral wall of the sphenoid sinus are 4 stable anatomic reference points.

Results: Twelve months postoperatively, the mean SNOT-22 score had improved by 18.48 and 100 (88.50%) patients had an improvement in nasal obstruction; thick nasal discharge, loss of smell or taste, and facial pain/pressure improvements were noted in 102 (90.27%), 64 (56.64%) and 76 (67.26%) patients, respectively. Postoperative endoscopic evaluation after 12 months indicated that 29 (25.66%), 12 (10.62%), 5 (4.42%), 6 (5.31%), and 2 (1.77%) patients had mucosal edema, nasal discharge, synechiae, polyps, and crusting, respectively. No severe complications were observed.

Conclusion: The anterior-to-posterior-to-anterior technique is an effective and safe approach to revision endoscopic sinus surgery. The 4 stable anatomic reference points are helpful for preventing severe complications in total ethmoidectomy.