The incidence of complications after prelacrimal recess approach versus endoscopic sinus surgery of maxillary sinus lesions

Abstract

Aim of work The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of complications after prelacrimal recess approach (PLRA) and compare it with endoscopic sinus surgery for maxillary sinus lesions. Patients and methods This was a prospective study in which 20 patients were recruited between July 2013 and September 2015 from the otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic of Kasr Al-Ainy Hospital, Cairo University. Patients with bilateral maxillary sinus lesions underwent endoscopic sinus surgery on one side and PLRA on the other side. Postoperative complications during 2-year follow-up were assessed. Results Two patients had epiphora at the PLRA side; one cured spontaneously, and the other was treated accordingly. Four patients had adhesions at the PLRA side, whereas two patients had adhesions at the middle meatal antrostomy side. Two patients developed numbness at the PLRA side, and one patient had persistent facial pain at the PLRA side. Intraoperatively there was excessive bleeding in three patients and an inferior turbinate destabilization in three patients at the PLRA side. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that, although PLRA is a minimally invasive technique, it still carries a risk for complications.