Combined open septorhinoplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery

Abstract

Objectives: To compare perioperative and immediate postoperative complication rates of combined open septorhinoplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery to complication rates of the 2 procedures performed individually. Methods: A sample of 57 patients treated at an academic referral center who had undergone combined open septorhinoplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery was identified. Medical charts were reviewed to identify complications encountered during, or immediately after the combined procedures. These complication rates were compared to the complication rates of the 2 procedures performed alone as quoted in the general medical literature. Results: Patients ranged in age from 14 to 77 years (mean age, 42 years). Among the 57 cases, there were 7 (12%) minor complications and no major complications. Of the minor complications, there were 4 cases of mild cellulitis (7%) and 3 cases of postoperative epistaxis (5%). No other intraoperative or early postoperative complications were found. Conclusions: Open septorhinoplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery may be safely and effectively performed in combination without a significantly increased risk of complications when compared to either procedure performed individually. The slightly increased risk of cellulitis encountered in our study may warrant careful consideration of the use of postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis following combined open septorhinoplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery.