The efficacy of the functional endoscopic sinus surgery in recurrent and refractory Rhinosinusitis patients in terms of symptomatic benefit – A prospective study

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in modifying patient’s symptom profile and to also confirm that FESS is the modality of treatment in patients with refractory CRS. Design: Prospective study. Methodology: 50 patients with symptoms of CRS were included in the study and subjected to FESS. Patients were assessed for CRS symptoms preoperatively and postoperatively using grading symptoms. Results: Leading symptom of CRS was nasal obstruction followed by headache, facial pressure and postnasal drip and other minor symptoms. After a postoperative follow up of 6 months there was improvement in the symptoms. All minor symptoms had 100% improvement. Nasal obstruction responded best, next followed by facial pain and headaches and PND (All symptoms P-value <0.001). An overall improvement of 86.66% was recorded. Conclusion: The restriction of quality of life in patients with CRS is mainly caused by these symptoms, which can be improved in excellent fashion by FESS in majority of the patients.