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Selecting the Best Approach to the Frontal Sinus

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Abstract

The Messerklinger technique is an endoscopic approach to sinus surgery designed to be minimally invasive and preserve mucosa and hence physiological function. More recently there have been advocates for more radical endoscopic approaches to the frontal sinus such as the Modified Lothrop. This review discusses different approaches to frontal sinus surgery including any advantages and disadvantages to each approach. After examining the evidence from the literature, meticulously performed endoscopic frontal sinusotomy with or without computer guidance appears to be the most effective minimally invasive procedure for treating chronic frontal sinusitis secondary to outflow tract obstruction. Properly performed, it is almost always effective in dealing with even the most diseased frontal sinus. It offers clear advantages in reducing complications and recurrence rates in frontal sinus disease, even for revision cases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK

    Carl M. Philpott

  2. James Paget University Hospital NHS Trust, Great Yarmouth, UK

    Carl M. Philpott

  3. Cambridge University Teaching Hospitals, Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds, UK

    David C. Mckiernan

  4. St Paul’s Sinus Centre, Vancouver, Canada

    Amin R. Javer

Authors
  1. Carl M. Philpott
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  2. David C. Mckiernan
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  3. Amin R. Javer
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Correspondence to Carl M. Philpott.

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Philpott, C.M., Mckiernan, D.C. & Javer, A.R. Selecting the Best Approach to the Frontal Sinus. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 63, 79–84 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-010-0110-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-010-0110-9

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