Avoiding Complications in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Ian M Humphreys; Peter H Hwang

doi:10.1016/j.otc.2015.05.013

Avoiding Complications in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2015 Oct;48(5):871-81. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2015.05.013. Epub 2015 Jun 24.

Authors

Ian M Humphreys¹, Peter H Hwang²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Rhinology and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 801 Welch Road, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. Electronic address: ihumphre@u.washington.edu.
² Division of Rhinology and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 801 Welch Road, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.

PMID: 26117296
DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2015.05.013

Abstract

Complications of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) can range from the mundane to the catastrophic, with nasal hemorrhage being the most common. Intraorbital and intracranial complications are much less common. Despite the rarity of complications, they are often avoidable. Certain identifiable risk factors can be appreciated during the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative evaluations of the sinus patient. With awareness of these risk factors the rhinologist can develop a strategic plan of risk factor mitigation. This article identifies areas of increased risk that are amenable to preventive strategies before complications become realized.

Keywords: Avoiding complications of ESS; Complications of ESS; Risks of ESS.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Endoscopy / adverse effects*
Humans
Paranasal Sinuses / surgery*
Postoperative Complications / prevention & control*
Risk Factors
Skull Base / diagnostic imaging*
Tomography, X-Ray Computed