The microdébrider and its complications in endoscopic surgery for nasal polyposis.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the rate of complications of the microdébrider in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for nasal polyposis.

STUDY DESIGN AND

SETTING

A retrospective study was done on the complications occurring during ESS for nasal polyposis and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) without nasal polyps in which a microdébrider had been used on 275 sides of 139 patients in a tertiary university practice setting.

RESULTS

The mean sinus opacification scores in computed tomography, according to the Lund-Mackay staging system, were 9.2 +/- 2.28 for the nasal polyposis group and 4.8 +/- 1.54 for the CRS group. There was one major complication, a cerebrospinal fistula that was repaired during the surgery. The minor and major complication rates for the nasal polyposis group were 11.8% and 0.5%, respectively. The minor complication rate for the CRS group was 4%.

CONCLUSION

Knowledge of endonasal anatomy, surgical experience, a bloodless operating field, and being careful about every colour change during the operation are the fundamental essentials for lowering the complication rate. With its lower incidence of complications, even in high-risk cases such as nasal polyposis, a microdébrider provides acceptable complication rates in ESS. Also, the severity of the disease is the main determining factor for the final complication rate.