Current Concepts in Frontal Sinus Fracture Management.

The management of frontal sinus fractures has evolved in the endoscopic era. The development of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) has been incorporated into management algorithms proposed by otolaryngologists, but the extent of its influence on plastic surgeons and oral and maxillofacial surgeons is heretofore unknown. A cross-sectional survey was performed to assess the practice pattern variations in frontal sinus fracture management across multiple surgical disciplines. A total of 298 surveys were reviewed. 33.5% were facial plastic surgeons with otolaryngology training, 25.8% general otolaryngologists, 25.5% plastic surgeons, and 15.1% oral and maxillofacial surgeons. 74.8% of respondents practiced in an academic setting. 61.7% felt endoscopic sinus surgery changed their management of frontal sinus fractures. 91.8% of respondents favored observation for uncomplicated, nondisplaced frontal sinus outflow tract fractures. 36.4% favored observation and 35.9% favored endoscopic sinus surgery for uncomplicated, displaced frontal sinus outflow tract fractures. For complicated, displaced frontal sinus outflow tract fractures, obliteration was more frequently favored by plastic surgeons and oral and maxillofacial surgeons than those with otolaryngology training. The utility of FESS in managing frontal sinus fractures appears to be recognized across multiple surgical disciplines.

Postoperative Complications of Frontal Sinus Fractures: A Retrospective Review of 47 Cases

Contemporary Management of Frontal Sinus Fractures.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), markedly improved with the introduction of new preoperative imaging techniques, intraoperative visualization tools, and the use of surgical navigation systems. In this retrospective study we evaluated the usefulness of CT-guided endscopic sinus surgery and studied its advantages over conventional endscopic sinus surgery.METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed the records of 60 randomly chosen patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and moderate-to-severe sinonasal polyposis, undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery with surgical navigation (n=30) and without navigation (n=30). Data on the operative note, time of surgery, complications, and recurrence rate were collected and analyzed.RESULTS:Of the 60 patients, 40 (66.7%) were diagnosed with CRS and 20 (33.3%) had allergic fungal sinusitis. Primary surgery was performed in 37 (61.7%) and revision surgery was performed in 23 (38.3%) cases. The computer-aided surgery (CAS) group included 28 (93.3%) patients with extensive disease and 12 (40%) with bone erosions, with intraorbital or extradural extension, while the non-CAS group included 24 (80%) patients with extensive disease and seven (23.3%) with bone erosions, with intraorbital or extradural extension. The average operative time was approximately 13 minutes greater in the navigation group, with significant improvement in the recurrence rate (n=11, 36.7% in the non-CAS group; n=5, 16.7% in the CAS group), and intraoperative complications were fewer in the CAS group (two exposures of orbital fat in the non-CAS group; no complications in the CAS group).CONCLUSION:Computer navigational systems appear to serve as a valuable adjunct in preoperative planning and safe intraoperative dissection.

Aim: The aim of this paper is to conduct a literature review on the clinical anatomy of the frontal sinus as it relates to its implication in frontal sinus fractures (FSFs), as well as review the contemporary opinions on the management of these fractures. Materials and Methods: A computerized literature search of PubMed and Medline was conducted for publications on the clinical anatomy and management of FSFs. Search phrases were frontal sinus combined with management, treatment, and anatomy. The Boolean operator 'AND' was used to narrow the searches. Result: FSFs account for 5-15% of all maxillofacial injuries and are associated with 32% of panfacial and maxillary injuries. The FSFs may result from high-velocity impacts, such as motor vehicle accidents and assaults; blunt or penetrating force. The potential for intracranial injuries, esthetic deformities, and late mucocele formation is high. The treatment goals of FSFs are an accurate diagnosis, avoidance of short- and long-term complications, return of normal sinus function, and re-establishment of the premorbid facial contour. Recently, several treatment protocol with greater emphasis on the nasofrontal outflow tract (NFOT) injury are described in the literature, however, controversies still abound on effectiveness of these protocols in reducing the attending complications. Conclusion: The management of FSFs presents a unique and challenging problem for the contemporary surgeons. A clear understanding of corrective techniques is essential when approaching these challenging injuries. Each treatment method has its advocates, and controversies still abound regarding indications, applications, and ultimate success in given situations.

Fractures of the frontal sinus are a relatively common injury presenting to trauma units that deal with craniofacial injuries. Approximately one third of frontal sinus fractures affect the anterior wall alone, with two thirds involving the anterior wall, posterior wall, or frontonasal duct. Isolated posterior wall defects are exceedingly rare. Frontal sinus fracture management is still controversial and involves preserving function when feasible or obliterating the sinus and duct, depending on the fracture pattern. In the standard treatment modality of frontal sinus fractures, repair is best performed by way of a coronal approach, which offers excellent access. Most of the frontal sinus fractures deserve this attentive surgical manipulation to prevent late sequelae of infection or mucocele formation. In this article, we present a case of isolated depressed anterior wall fracture of the frontal sinus that was treated by closed reduction to avoid coronal incision. Anterior wall fracture of the right frontal sinus was diagnosed with preoperative evaluation of three-dimensional CT of a 34-year-old male patient with maxillofacial trauma. The anterior wall fracture was reduced by traction of two percutaneously applied screws to the depressed fragments. Accurate reduction was obtained, and neither recurrent displacement nor infection was observed during the follow-up period of 3 months. The screws were removed in the clinical setting without difficulty. Although percutaneous reduction of noncomminuted anterior wall frontal sinus fractures has limited indications, it has its own advantages over open techniques. This method is a less-invasive technique and can be performed without problem in selected cases. Our technique is not suitable for complex fractures of the frontal sinus.

Frontal sinus fracture management: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a delay in operative management of frontal sinus fractures is associated with increased risk of serious infections. Retrospective chart review was performed of 242 consecutive patients with surgically managed frontal sinus fractures who presented to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center between 1996 and 2011. Collected patient characteristics included demographics, surgical management, hospital course, and complications. All computed tomographic imaging was reviewed to evaluate involvement of the posterior table and nasofrontal outflow tract. Serious infections included meningitis, encephalitis, brain abscess, frontal sinus abscess, and osteomyelitis. Delayed operative interventions were defined as procedures performed more than 48 hours after admission. Adjusted relative risk estimates were obtained using multivariable regression. There were 14 serious infections (5.8 percent). All patients with serious infections had both involvement of the posterior table and nasofrontal outflow tract injury. The cumulative incidence of serious infection in these patients was 10.8 percent. After adjustments for confounding, multivariable regression showed that operative delay beyond 48 hours was independently associated with a 4.03-fold (p < 0.05) increased risk for serious infection; external cerebrospinal fluid drainage catheter use and local soft-tissue infection conferred a 4.09-fold (p < 0.05) and 5.10-fold (p < 0.001) increased risk, respectively. Antibiotic use beyond 48 hours postoperatively was not associated with fewer infections. Delay in operative management of frontal sinus fractures in patients requiring operative intervention is associated with an increased risk for serious infections. Continued antibiotic prophylaxis beyond the perioperative period provides little benefit in preventing serious infections. Risk, II.

Orbital complications following the use of bone substitutes in frontal sinus trauma

This review summarizes the current advances in sinus preservation techniques with endoscopic sinus surgery for the well tolerated and effective management of frontal sinus fractures. Advances in computed tomography (CT) imaging can now reproduce higher quality reformatted images, creating excellent diagnostic coronal, axial, and sagittal image views that provide a better evaluation of the frontal sinus outflow tracts (FSOTs). The FSOTs are pivotal in determining which technique is used in the management of frontal sinus fractures. Several recent studies have proposed sinus preservation protocols using endoscopic management of the frontal outflow tract as a viable alternative to frontal sinus obliteration. Among those protocols, extended endoscopic sinus frontal surgery with reconstruction of the frontal outflow tracts has been demonstrated to be well tolerated and effective. It can be used in conjunction with frontal sinus trephinations as well as to treat complications. Modified treatment protocols have been developed based on thorough clinical examination and CT imaging in an attempt to provide a practical and safe protocol for the management of frontal sinus injuries. Conservative care and sinus preservation with or without endoscopic surgery can be done in selected cases with good result. The importance of preserving the frontal sinus is gaining acceptance in the evidence-based literature.

To evaluate alternative management strategies for anterior table frontal sinus fractures involving the frontal sinus outflow tract. A prospective cohort of patients with anterior table frontal sinus fracture with frontal outflow tract involvement documented by computed tomography (CT) scan was examined between 1999 and 2001. A select group of patients with anterior table frontal sinus fracture involving the frontal outflow tract was treated with open reduction of bony fracture without osteoplastic obliteration of the frontal sinus. Serial CT scans were obtained starting at 8 weeks after injury. Patients with persistent frontal sinus obstruction after medical treatment underwent an extended endoscopic frontal sinusotomy or a modified endoscopic Lothrop procedure. Fourteen patients sustained frontal sinus fractures and were treated during the study period. Seven patients were included in the modified treatment algorithm, with a mean follow-up of 18 months. All patients had concurrent facial fractures: superior orbital rim (n = 5), naso-orbital-ethmoid complex (n = 2), mandible (n = 2), and midface (n = 2). All 7 patients underwent open repair of the facial fractures. Postoperatively, 5 patients had spontaneous frontal sinus ventilation. Two patients, both of whom had naso-orbito-ethmoid fractures, had persistent frontal sinus obstruction clinically and radiographically. These patients were successfully managed with an endoscopic frontal sinus procedure. A select group of patients with frontal sinus and outflow tract fracture may be managed with open repair of the anterior table fracture without obliteration. In these cases, suspected frontal outflow tract obstruction can be managed expectantly. Failed frontal sinus ventilation may require endoscopic frontal sinus surgery to reestablish mucociliary clearance.

Frontal sinus fractures are usually associated with traumatic brain injury and nasoorbitoethmoidal fractures. Much of the available evidence is retrospective, and management algorithms vary. In general, nondisplaced fractures without nasofrontal outflow tract (NFOT) obstruction may be managed with clinical and radiographic follow-up whereas fracture displacement, NFOT obstruction, and persistent CSF leaks are indications for operative management. The bicoronal incision and bifrontal craniotomy allow for proper access to the frontal sinus. If there is NFOT obstruction, the sinus should be cranialized or possibly obliterated if only the anterior table is fractured. The NFOT and sinus are packed with bone chips, fat, or muscle and then sealed with a pericardial graft, fascial graft, or synthetic dural substitute. Inadequate cranialization or obliteration can result in mucocele or mucopyocele, intracranial extension of which can lead to brain abscess or meningitis. Complications can occur years after the initial injury so long-term follow-up is necessary.

Endoscopic Management of Orbital and Frontal Sinus Fractures

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Background:Neurosurgeons are frequently involved in the management of patients with traumatic frontal sinus injury; however, management options and operative techniques can vary significantly. In this study, the authors review the current literature and retrospectively review the clinical series at a single tertiary referral center.Methods:After Institutional Review Board approval, the medical records and computed tomographic (CT) imaging of patients whose traumatic frontal sinus fractures were treated surgically at the University of Utah were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic information, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, operative technique, and pattern of injury on CT were analyzed.Results:Between 2000 and 2012, 33 patients underwent successful cranialization of the frontal sinus following traumatic injury. The material used to obliterate the sinus varied. No patients required immediate or delayed reoperation. Nasofrontal outflow tract obstruction, the importance of which has been emphasized in the plastic surgery literature, was apparent on either initial or retrospective review of the available CT imaging in 96%.Conclusions:In this series, we successfully surgically treated 33 patients with frontal sinus fractures. The presence of cerebrospinal fluid leak, nasofrontal outflow tract injury, associated depressed skull fractures, and subsequent formation of communicating pathways and infection must be considered when constructing a treatment plan. The goals of treatment should be: (i) surgical repair of the defect and elimination of the conduit from the intracranial space to the outside and (ii) elimination of any cerebrospinal fluid pressure gradient that may develop across the surgical repair. We present a treatment algorithm focusing on the presence of nasofrontal outflow tract injury/obstruction, cosmetic deformity, and cerebrospinal fluid leak.