Combined open septorhinoplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To compare perioperative and early postoperative complication rates of performing open septorhinoplasty (OSR) and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) concomitantly or individually.

STUDY DESIGN AND

SETTING

Retrospective chart review of 55 patients treated at an academic referral center who had undergone combined OSR and FESS. Complication rates for the combined procedures were compared with published complication rates for the individual procedures.

RESULTS

Patients' ages ranged from 14 to 77 years (average, 43 years). Among the 55 cases, there were no major complications and 6 (11%) minor complications: 4 cases of cellulitis (7%; previously published risk, 1%-3%) and 2 cases of postoperative epistaxis (4%).

CONCLUSION

OSR and FESS may be performed safely in combination without a clinically significant increased risk of complications.

SIGNIFICANCE: The slightly increased risk of cellulitis may warrant the use of intraoperative sinus irrigation and postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis after combined OSR and FESS.