What is extended frontal sinus surgery (modified lothrop procedure)?
Some patients that have undergone previous frontal sinus surgery continue to suffer from persistent infections and can be extremely frustrating. The main reason for this is an inadequate initial surgery. If any diseased tissue is left behind in the frontal sinuses, it may continue to cause problems. In these case, more extensive surgery is required to definitively treat the sinusitis. Surgery to create wide open frontal sinuses is called a modified lothrop procedure. The surgery is performed similarly to functional endoscopic sinus surgery, using a small camera to navigate around the frontal sinuses. Image guidance, a GPS-like tracking system in the nose, is typically used to aid in surgery.
Do I need extended frontal sinus surgery?
The necessity for advanced frontal sinus surgery is determined on a person to person basis. First, the extent of the previous surgery will be determined by obtaining a CT scan of the sinuses. This will also give the surgeon an idea of what disease remains in the frontal sinuses. Lastly, an evaluation in the clinic using endoscopy will be required examine the current state of the nasal passages and sinuses. If the decision is made to proceed with surgery, it will take place the same way as a normal endoscopic sinus surgery, as same day surgery either within an outpatient surgery center or the hospital.
