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Draf III frontal sinusotomy: influence of patient characteristics on outcome. Objective: To identify positive and negative predictive outcome factors for the Draf III procedure based on the experience of a single center.
Methods: Seventy-two patients who underwent a Draf III procedure between 2005 and 2011 at the ENT department of University Hospitals Leuven were included. Patient demographics, history of frontal sinus surgery, clinical features, and computed tomographic evaluations were reviewed and analyzed for associations with symptom control and endoscopic outcome.
Results: The mean age was 48 years (16-82 years), and the male-to-female-ratio was 2:1. Major indications were chronic rhinosinusitis (with or without nasal polyps) and mucoceles. Supplementary frontal (recess) cells were found in the majority of patients. Osteoneogenesis was present in one out of four patients. At the end of follow-up (mean 35 months), the neo-ostium patency rate was 89%. Stenosis or closure of the neo-ostium was seen in 11% of patients, and 15% of patients required revision surgery. Subjective improvement was reported by 88%.
Conclusion: The results of Draf III frontal sinusotomy were positive in the long term. Previous frontal sinus surgery, the presence of allergy or aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), asthma, smoking, and variants in frontal recess anatomy did not affect outcome. Osteoneogenesis and chronic mucosal inflammation could be controlled by creating a large drainage pathway.