Frontal sinus stents.

Abstract

The formation of scar tissue, synechiae, or osteogenesis in the narrow frontal outflow tract after instrumentation of the frontal sinus has led to attempts to enlarge the frontal duct or stenting. Prospective pilot study. Sixty-four Freeman frontal sinus stents were used to maintain patency in 46 patients. Stents were inserted using an endoscopic technique in 26 sinuses containing polyps, 20 with pansinusitis, and 18 cavities with stenosis of the frontal duct. External incisions with frontal sinusotomy were required to remove the stenosis and insert the stent in nine sinuses. Polypoid degeneration, granulation, purulent drainage, and lateralization of the middle turbinate were encountered infrequently. Frontal obliteration was subsequently required in six sinuses. The Freeman frontal sinus stent prevented blockage of the outflow tract in patients who had removal of disease in the sinus or duct or treatment of frontal stenosis.