External Frontoethmoidectomy in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria

Introduction: External Frontoethmoidectomy is an open surgical procedure employed to remove disease from the frontal and ethmoidal sinuses. Pathologies in the para nasal sinuses can be managed endoscopically, however, the limited availability of skilled man power in endoscopic sinus surgeries, and the dearth of its instruments in this region, remains a challenge in most tertiary health care centres in Nigeria, thus promoting the use of external approach to manage sinus diseases.

Method: This was a retrospective study of 10 patients who had Frontoethmoidectomy over a 6 year period, from January 2012 to December 2017.Their medical records were retrieved from operating theatre, and Ear, Nose and Throat ward. Information retrieved included their age, gender, presenting complain, indication for surgery and length of hospital stay. Results were presented in tables and figures.

Results: Among the 10 patients, there were 7 males and 3 females, 6 (60%) were aged 10-19 years. The indications for surgery was Fronto-ethmoidal mucocele in 3 patients and frontal mucocele in 2 patients, frontal sinusitis with intracerebral abscess in 1 patient, pan sinusitis with sinu-cutaneous fistula in 1 patient, potts puffy tumor in 1 patient, fronto-ethmoidal abscess, and fronto-ethmoidal osteoma in 1 patient each. Nasal obstruction was the commonest complain 7(70%), followed by frontal headache 4(40%).The average hospital stay among the patients was 6 days.

Conclusion: External fronto-ethmoidectomy has remained the mainstay of treatment for frontal and ethmoidal sinus pathologies in this region, despite the advent of endoscopic sinus surgery. Early presentation for specialist otorhinolaryngological management can reduce morbidity and mortality.