Surgical Management of Sinus Disease in Children

Abstract

In the past few years, interest in pediatric sinus surgery has increased in response to the introduction of new endoscopic techniques and to mounting societal pressure to resolve the problem of persistent rhinosinusitis in the day-care setting. As yet, there are no prospective controlled studies demonstrating efficacy of sinus surgery in children with uncomplicated acute or recurrent acute sinusitis, and medical management overwhelmingly remains the treatment of choice for these patients. Sinus surgery may be indicated, however, for three groups of pediatric patients: those with true chronic disease, those with serious underlying disease states aggravated by recurrent sinusitis, and those with suppurative complications of sinusitis.