Abstract Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common, debilitating inflammatory disease of the nose and paranasal sinuses lasting ≥12 weeks and impairing quality of life. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is recommended for patients refractory to adequate medical therapy to improve ventilation. Objectives: To evaluate changes in the symptom profile of CRS patients undergoing FESS at a tertiary care centre in Kolhapur, by comparing preoperative symptoms with postoperative outcomes up to six months. Methodology: This 18‑month hospital-based study included 50 CRS patients (allergic/infective) aged ≥12 years with symptoms ≥12 weeks and nonresponsive to ≥6 weeks of medical therapy. Exclusion criteria were age <12 years, gross deviated nasal septum, and prior nasal surgery. Eligible patients had ≥2 major symptoms or 1 major plus 2 minor symptoms. Symptoms were graded (0–3) preoperatively and followed postoperatively at serial intervals up to 6 months; analysis used SPSS v22.0. Results: Among 50 patients, most were aged 21–30 years (34%), followed by 31–40 years (30%); males predominated (62%). Symptoms most commonly persisted for 1–5 years (62%). Preoperatively, nasal obstruction was prominent (moderate 32, severe 6), facial pain/pressure was mainly mild-to-moderate (25 and 19), and anosmia was frequent (moderate 21, severe 10); headache was the leading severe minor symptom (severe 32). Postoperatively, core CRS symptoms improved progressively across follow-up. At 6 months, nasal obstruction showed the greatest improvement, with 80% reporting “much better” (p<0.001); facial pain/pressure and anosmia also improved significantly (70% and 68% “much better”, p<0.001). Post-nasal drip and nasal discharge demonstrated moderate improvement by 6 months (54% and 34% “much better”, respectively). In contrast, halitosis, dental pain, cough, and earache showed minimal/no improvement, suggesting possible non-sinonasal contributors. Conclusion: FESS provides significant symptomatic relief in medically refractory CRS, particularly for nasal obstruction, facial pain/pressure, anosmia, headache, post-nasal drip, and acute fever over six months. Limited improvement in halitosis, dental pain, cough, and earache highlights the need for evaluation of alternate causes and counselling.
International Journal of Medical Science and Advanced Clinical Research (IJMACR) (Fri,) studied this question.