Complications of Endoscopic Nasal Surgery: Occurrence and Treatment

Abstract

A consecutive series of 80 patients undergoing endoscopic nasal sinus surgery was reviewed. There were 25 complications (31%) in 19 patients in this group. Eight complications (10%) including CSF leak, temporary blindness, and hemorrhage were considered major with the latter occurring most commonly. Synechiae were the most commonly occurring minor complication. Endoscopic nasal sinus surgery performed by inexperienced operators carries with it the same risks and complications as traditional intranasal sinus surgery. Any surgeon who does not routinely perform traditional intranasal ethmoidectomy should accrue endoscopic experience through appropriate didactic training and multiple cadaver dissections (akin to otologic training).