The use of grafts in frontal sinus drill-outs.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: A significant complication of the frontal sinus drill-out procedure is restenosis of the frontal neo-ostium. To improve postoperative healing in this region, various mucosal grafts and pedicled flaps have been designed to reconstruct the mucosal lining of the frontal neo-ostium. We provide an overview of the types of grafts described for reconstruction and discuss the latest evidence on their efficacy.

RECENT FINDINGS: Frontal neo-ostium mucosal reconstruction may be performed using free, pedicled, or a combination of grafts. There are several case series that report good outcomes and low revision rates following the use of grafts in frontal sinus drill-outs, and one randomized controlled study demonstrating increased ostial patency. However, the use of grafts did not alter the rate of revision surgery and only one study reported an improvement in Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 scores after one year.

SUMMARY: Studies have suggested that frontal sinus drill-out grafts result in favorable restenosis and graft success rates. However, larger randomized control trials will be required to determine whether frontal sinus drill-out grafts contribute to a tangible clinical benefit for patients.