The Role of Middle Meatal Spacers after Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Abstract

Lateralization of the MT is the most common complication encountered after ESS and can results in occlusion of the sinus drainage pathway leading to recurrent symptoms and subsequent surgical failure. Patency of the middle meatus with a wellhealed mucosa in addition to good surgical technique is the mainstays of optimal surgical outcomes. Some surgeons advocate unpacking the middle meatus, whereas others continue to use this technique to prevent middle turbinate lateralization. Controversy still exists about whether to pack or not. There are ongoing debates about the ideal material that should be used for packing. Basic criteria that a product should meet to be eligible to be used as nasal packing include: good haemostatic property, middle turbinate stabilizer effect, promotion of wound healing, resistance to bacterial colonization, and easy removal with minimal discomfort to the patient. Packing removal should not impede the patient‟s psychological status. Thirty Patients with bilateral sinus pathology undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery were included in the study. Surgicel® was placed at the end of the surgery in