The Intranasal Ethmoidectomy: A 12-Year Perspective

Two hundred thirty-six intranasal ethmoidectomies were performed on 123 patients during a 12-year period. Four complications representing an incidence of 1.7% are reported with no mortality, blindness, or permanent orbital injuries. An overall 83% (38 patients) success rate in controlling nasal polyposis is recorded in dealing with 46 obstructed nasal polyposis-pansinusitis patients. A subgrouping of 26 patients having had prior polypectomy sinus surgical treatment revealed an 81% (21 patients) control of nasal polyposis. With revision ethmoidectomy surgical treatment, a 91% (42 patients) overall success rate is recorded, and a 92% (24 patients) success rate is noted in the sub-grouping. There appears to be no difference between these two groups, implying that the intranasal ethmoidectomy procedure may be the important factor in the control of nasal polyposis.