Assessment of Outcome and Improvement in Quality of Life (QOL) after Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in Patients with Chronic Rhino-sinusitis - A Cross Sectional Study

Objectives: To determine the outcome of Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS/ESS) and improvement in quality of life using symptom score and sinonasal outcome test (SNOT) score in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis

Study design: Prospective cross sectional study.

Materials&Method: Between June 2011-June 2013, 42patients (65 sides) diagnosed to have chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) underwent FESS. At the conclusion of the FESS/ESS operation, cotton ribbon gauge piece soaked with 1 ml Mitomycin-C (0.4 mg/ml) was placed in right/left/ both middle meati for a period of 4 minutes. Following application, nasal cavity was irrigated with sterile normal saline. Patients were examined weekly for 1 month after surgery. Additional examinations were done at the end of 2nd and 3rdmonth post-operatively. At the end of 3 months follow up the outcome was assessed subjectively comparing symptoms scores, sinonasal outcome test (SNOT) score dividing into four domains.

Results: At the end of 3 months follow up a significant decrease (80%) in symptom scores was observed (6.64± 1.80, p<0.001). Similarly in SNOT score we observed a significant reduction (71%) in scores (17.76± 8.17, p<0.001) and 3.1% cases showed adhesions.

Conclusions: CRS patients have remarkable improvement in their symptoms and quality of life after FESS.