[Results of functional endoscopic sinus surgery].

INTRODUCTION: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and polyposis cavi nasi (PCN) are two frequently occurring, disabling diseases. Many international studies have obtained very good results with the functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) technique in cases of resistance to conservative treatment. This is the first study in Denmark that attempts to compare Danish results with international results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 31 patients operated on in the period 1 January-31 December 2002 in the ENT Department, Aarhus University Hospital. After a retrospective journal study, all patients were followed up on by means of a postoperative cross-sectional examination, with a questionnaire and endoscopic inspection of the nasal cavity. RESULTS: We found significant improvement as regarded sense of smell, degree of nasal obstruction, rhinorrhoea and facial pain. The endoscopic inspections showed a significant reduction in nasal polyps. Eighty-six percent of the patients said they would recommend the same kind of surgery to a similar patient. CONCLUSION: The study showed good results using functional endoscopic sinus surgery on Danish patients with CRS and PCN. The Danish population of those suffering from CRS and PCN undergoing surgery was not comparable to those in international studies. The study raised questions concerning the lack of national references and database programme.