Post-operative evaluation of functional endoscopic sinus surgery with computed tomography.

Fifty consecutive patients underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FES) for bilateral rhinosinusitis. Pre- and post-operative computerized tomographic scans were evaluated. Of 50 patients, 45 (90%) experienced improvement in symptoms. Post-operative scans gave less encouraging results, with a slightly improved score for the combined group of sinuses and for the ethmoidal and maxillary sinuses separately. The difference between the pre- and post-operative CT score for the ethmoidal sinuses was statistically significant. The frontal sinus showed similar pre- and post-operative radiological findings. For the inexperienced surgeon we recommend computer tomographic examination 4-6 months after surgery. This could prove helpful if recurrence of symptoms occurs. For the experienced surgeon, clinical and endoscopic follow-up for at least 3 years is appropriate.