Postoperative Care in Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Brief Study on Expert Opinions

An operation called functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) can improve symptoms with success rates ranging from 67% to 98%. However, post-FESS management is still uncertain, and this expert opinion provides guidelines for managing patients after the surgery.

This study aimed to evaluatepostoperative care in functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

In the current descriptive cross-sectional study, a questionnaire consisting of 25 questionsabout pre-and post-FESS considerations in terms of medications, imaging and the follow-up period was designed and 40 expert rhinologists in this field responded to the questions.

Post-operative antibiotics, pre-andpost-operative corticosteroids especially in the form of nasal spray, corticosteroid-soaked Gelfoam, saline irrigation in large volumes, and nasal debridement after surgery were recommended by the majority of the surveyed experts. Post-operative imaging was suggested if any adverse event is suspected. Furthermore, oral corticosteroids are suggested for exacerbations. Most of the experts recommendlong-term follow-ups.

Based on the findings of the current survey, the experts'practice not only is remarkably variable over each other but also differs from the current guidelines. Further investigations and practical workshops are stronglyrecommended to improve the experts’ performancein FESS.