Rhinosinusitis in children: the role of surgery

Abstract

Indications and nature of surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) have yet to be elucidated in children. After review of the literature and based on their experience, the authors suggest guidelines for the treatment of CRS in children. They suggest grouping children with rhinosinusitis into two groups: those with complicated acute rhinosinusitis and those with CRS. For the first group, the authors suggest an early surgical intervention because of the potential serious consequences and sometimes irreversible damage. For the second group, most agree that maximal medical management should be the first line of treatment with antibiotics, nasal lavage and as a last resort surgery. It is important to realize that surgery should be considered in these cases if medical treatment fails. Once surgery is recommended, the kind of surgery then becomes an issue between adenoidectomy, endoscopic sinus surgery or a combination of the two depending on the age and other conditions.