K. Christopher McMains

The association between allergy and chronic rhinosinusitis with and without nasal polyps: An evidence-based review with recommendations

The relationship between allergy and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) remains ill‐defined and controversial. The association between the 2 is unclear, making an evidence‐based decision of whether to evaluate and treat allergies in CRS patients difficult. The purposes of this systematic review are to (1) examine the relationship between allergy and CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), (2) examine the same for allergy and CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), and (3) recommend evaluation and treatment based on the evidence.

Safety in endoscopic sinus surgery

Purpose of reviewEndoscopic sinus surgery techniques and technologies have undergone rapid development over the past two decades. Recently, image guided systems have been implemented in endoscopic sinus surgery, carrying the promise of increased safety during surgery. This review compiles available data regarding the incidence of complications in endoscopic sinus surgery, the trends over time, and the impact of image guided surgery on complication rates. Recent findingsReporting of complications in endoscopic sinus surgery is widely variable, confounding attempts to establish accurate data regarding complication rates. Few prospective, randomized trials exist comparing the safety of functional endoscopic sinus surgery with other surgical techniques. Major complications occur in 0–1.5% of cases and minor complications occur in 1.1–20.8% of functional endoscopic sinus surgery cases. Powered instrumentation does not appear to affect the incidence of complications, but may increase the severity of complications. It is unclear whether image guided surgery results in lower complication rates. Practical and ethical considerations make randomized trials to evaluate this issue problematic. SummaryIn order to maximize safety, functional endoscopic sinus surgery surgeons must individually and collectively audit current practice, report complications in a systematic way, utilize available technology appropriately to support safe surgery, and diligently refine surgical technique as well as the systems supporting endoscopic surgical practice.

The validation of an endoscopic sinus surgery skills training model: a pilot study.

Background Performing functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) requires a trainee surgeon to develop both thorough anatomic understanding and new manual dexterity skills. Traditionally, these skills were learned in the operating room setting. In an era of available surgical simulation, this practice introduces ethical concerns about exposing patients to unnecessary risks during surgical skills development. Additionally, cost-effective rhinologic training has become increasingly important. To address these problems, a low-cost, intermediate-fidelity FESS training model was developed, and both speed and accuracy of task completion were measured to assess both immediate and intermediate-term skills retention. Methods Preliminary data were collected on 12 medical students and 10 resident-level (PGY1, -2, and -3) learners. Distinct tasks were performed five times on the initial day of testing and repeated after 2 weeks. Results Both groups attained statistically significant improvement in time to complete both tasks by the second iteration of each task and retained this effect after 2 weeks. Similarly, statistically significant improvement was seen for accuracy relative to the initial attempt by the fifth iteration for residents. This effect was also seen by the third through fifth iterations and after 2 weeks for students. Additionally, when the 2-week follow-up testing was compared with the fifth attempt, the only skills that deteriorated significantly were the resident group with the complex task times and the students with measures of accuracy. However, in both cases a highly significant improvement from initial attempts was maintained (p = 0.02 and p = 0.005, respectively). Residents were significantly faster than medical students at both simple and complex tasks for attempts 1 through h 4, but this difference was not significant for attempt 5 and after 2 weeks. Residents had significantly fewer errors for all but the 2-week data point. Conclusion The data from this pilot study support improved FESS skills for both medical students and residents using this low-cost, intermediate-fidelity model.

International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis

Critical examination of the quality and validity of available allergic rhinitis (AR) literature is necessary to improve understanding and to appropriately translate this knowledge to clinical care of the AR patient. To evaluate the existing AR literature, international multidisciplinary experts with an interest in AR have produced the International Consensus statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis (ICAR:AR).

Aerosinusitis: pathophysiology, prophylaxis and management in passengers and aircrew

Patients presenting before flight with an upper respiratory infection are at risk for aerosinusitis. Prophylaxis of this condition consists of an oral decongestant before flight and nasal decongestant spray during the flight just prior to descent. Evaluation of the patient presenting with aerosinusitis consists of a careful physical exam with emphasis on diagnosing treatable nasal and sinus pathology. Categorization of the patient into the Weissman classification is important for determining prognostic factors for recovery. Management of this condition is based on the Weissman stage. Stage I or II lesions are generally treated conservatively with a 1-wk course of topical sprays, analgesics, a tapering course of steroids, and oral decongestants. Use of antibiotics is reserved for those cases initiated by bacterial sinusitis. Additionally, antihistamines are reserved for cases where allergies were the inciting cause. Stage III lesions are rarely seen in civilian air travelers due to the relatively low fluctuations in ambient air pressure. Aircrew that suffer Stage III aerosinusitis are at risk for recurrent sinus barotrauma that may require an expertly performed functional endoscopic sinus surgery to successfully manage it.

Comprehensive surgical management of the aerosinusitis patient

Purpose of reviewProvide a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiology and surgical management strategies of sinus barotrauma with attention to recent advancements in endoscopic surgical technique. Recent findingsNew endoscopic frontal sinus surgery techniques have been shown to be highly effective with rhinosinusitis management, but these techniques have not been evaluated with sinus barotrauma management. SummaryWe discuss the surgical goals and expectations with sinus barotrauma and contrast these to those with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Sinus barotrauma surgery requires anatomic patency of involved sinuses whereas CRS patients are satisfied with a lack of symptoms from any residual mucosal disease.

Teaching frontal sinus anatomy using the frontal sinus masterclass 3- D conceptualization model: Instructional Frontal Sinus Anatomy Course

Frontal sinus anatomy is complex and often is a difficult subject to both teach and learn. The traditional surgical dogma of “see one, do one, teach one” is impractical and dangerous in the frontal sinus. Based on the building block three‐dimensional conceptualization module, the Frontal Sinus Masterclass (FSMC) was created to teach this anatomy.

Single vs multiallergen sublingual immunotherapy in the polysensitized patient: a pilot study: Single vs multiallergen SLIT

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has emerged as an effective and exceptionally safe method of treatment of the atopic patient. However, the optimal number of allergens that should be included in the SLIT treatment regimen for the polysensitized patient is not known and practices vary widely. This study aims to compare the efficacy of single‐allergen SLIT with pauci‐allergen vs multiallergen aqueous SLIT in polysensitized patients.

International assessment of inter- and intrarater reliability of the International Frontal Sinus Anatomy Classification system: Reliability of the IFAC

Inconsistencies in the nomenclature of structures of the frontal sinus have impeded the development of a validated “reference standard” classification system that surgeons can reliably agree upon. The International Frontal Sinus Anatomy Classification (IFAC) system was developed as a consensus document, based on expert opinion, attempting to address this issue. The purposes of this study are to: establish the reliability of the IFAC as a tool for classifying cells in the frontal recess among an international group of rhinologists; and improve communication and teaching of frontal endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).

Teaching Residents Frontal Sinus Anatomy Using a Novel 3-Dimensional Conceptualization Planning Software-Based Module

Background The Frontal Sinus Masterclass (FSMC) is an effective method for teaching frontal sinus anatomy. A third party developed new software using the same 3-dimensional building block concept. The authors sought to determine whether the use of the software for the educational module yielded similar results to the original FSMC, which used wooden blocks. Methods The study was performed at a sinus course for residents. A precourse test assessed the ability to decipher frontal sinus anatomy prior to the course. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the sinuses were evaluated in triplanar view, and participants attempted to reconstruct the anatomy using the new software. Subsequently, the course instructor explained the anatomy and showed a short corresponding surgical video of the frontal sinusotomy. Cases progressed in anatomical difficulty and inflammatory load. A postcourse test determined knowledge after the course. Results In sum, 50 residents completed the pre- and postcourse tests. Overall scores increased from 60.5% to 65.2% (P = .004). Subanalysis also demonstrated improved ability to locate the frontal drainage pathway from 32.5% to 46% (P = .011) and label the frontal recess cell structures from 64% to 67.6% (P = .045). Conclusion There is minimal literature on proven methods for teaching frontal sinus anatomy. Objectively, participants of the modified FSMC simulation training using new software improved their ability to recognize cells of the frontal recess on CT scans. They especially exhibited better localization of the frontal sinus drainage pathway. Subjectively, participants reported benefit from the course and felt they would be better surgeons.