Free mucosal grafts and anterior pedicled flaps to prevent ostium restenosis after endoscopic modified Lothrop (frontal drillout) procedure: a randomized, controlled study

Background: The endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure (EMLP) is used to manage ongoing refractory frontal sinusitis after failed previous endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), but this approach has a significant restenosis rate. We evaluated the potential benefits of mucosal grafts and pedicled flaps on the opening of the newly formed frontal ostium.

Methods: Fifty patients with refractory frontal sinusitis or mucoceles after ESS were randomized to undergo EMLP, either with (n = 27) or without (n = 23) mucosal grafts and pedicled flap reconstruction of the neo-ostium. The frontal neo-ostium was measured with Lindholm distending forceps, and anteroposterior (A-P) and lateral dimensions were measured intraoperatively, and then again at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively. Olfaction outcomes were assessed using the Taiwan Smell Identification Test (TWSIT) and a smell visual analog scale (VAS) score preoperatively and at 6 months postsurgery.

Results: The initial intraoperative mean lateral and A-P dimensions were 23.2 ± 2.7 mm and 14.8 ± 2.3 mm and were significantly decreased at all time-points postoperatively. The mucosal grafts and pedicled flaps had greater lateral and A-P dimensions, and a greater percentage of intraoperative frontal neo-ostium area at all time-points postoperatively (all p < 0.05). At 6 months postoperatively, TWSIT (p = 0.027), but not the smell VAS score (p = 0.063), was significantly improved compared with baseline. TWSIT and smell VAS score changes did not differ between groups (p = 0.92 and p = 0.85, respectively).

Conclusion: The use of mucosal grafts and pedicled flaps reduces stenosis of the frontal neo-ostium postsurgery and should be considered after EMLP.