The Functional Endoscopic Approach to Inflammatory Sinus Disease: Current Perspectives and Technique Modifications

Endoscopic examination and pleuridirectional polytomography provided some important insights into the pathogenesis of inflammatory sinus disease. These insights have been further refined by the increasing utilization of endoscopy in medical therapy and surgical follow-up, and by the use of computed tomography for diagnosis. The aim of this paper is to review the current status of the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory sinus disease and of functional endoscopic surgical techniques. The impact of this approach on previously held theoretical and diagnostic concepts is evaluated. Technical modifications made since the surgery was first introduced in the United States and the lessons learned from close postsurgical endoscopic examination are presented.