[Quality of life after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (a long-term study)].

BACKGROUND

A polyposis nasi has distinct impact on a patient's quality of life (QL). There are only few long term studies available regarding the effects of a functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in patient's QL with polyposis nasi after 7 years average follow-up. Furthermore sex-specific differences in polyposis nasi and FESS should be evaluated.

METHODS

135 patients (33 female, 102 male) with polyposis nasi were included in this study. The mean follow-up was 7 years after performed sinus surgery. To assess the QL, the "Rhinosinusitis-Beeinträchtigungs-Index" (RSBI) was used.

RESULTS

In average 7 years post FESS a significant improvement in 80.7 % of the patient's QL was reported (n=109)--including functional, emotional, physical items and a general impression provided by the patients' RSBI-questionnaires. No post-FESS differences regarding gender were revealed.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with polyposis nasi significantly benefit long-term after FESS in their health-related QL. Revision surgery should not only be indicated by endoscopy, but by patient's QL.