[Shunting and drainage of the frontal sinuses in the treatment of exudative frotitis].

A total of 63 cases of exudative frontitis were treated using probing and draining in an ENT department of a hospital from 1986 to 1998. 40 patients were males, 23 were females. The age ranged from 15 to 79 years. 43 patients had acute frontitis, 20 patients suffered of chronic frontitis. Probing and draining of the sinus was made with application of standard cannulas. Probing was unsuccessful in 8 patients. Later, they have undergone radical surgery on the frontal sinuses or trephine puncture (2 and 6 patients, respectively). 23 patients who discharged pus and mucus after the initial probing of the frontal sinus were drained for some time with polyethelene catheter having the fixing device. Probing and draining of the frontal sinuses with subsequent introduction of medicines should be applied in all cases of purulent otitis. Only if no effect is reached, surgical intervention is justified.