[The evolution of ideas on surgery of frontal sinus].

The frontal sinus surgery has evolved over the past 120 years. There is an extensive literature focusing on this issue. The present review summarizes all major intranasal and external procedures in frontal sinus surgery. There were many techniques discovered and described in the literature; however, a single method that will lead to relief of clinical symptoms, complete eradication of disease with good functional outcome, minimal complications has not yet been attained. Frontoethmoidectomy alone has been the most frequently modified procedure by several authors. In mid-fifties of the last century the osteoplastic external surgery has emerged. Two decades later on new revolutionary endoscopic techniques have led to significant improvement in results of frontal sinus surgery. Endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure has become the most innovative method of frontal sinus surgery. Three dimensional computer assisted functional endoscopic sinus surgery and modern instrumentarium are among the latest techniques used nowadays, as they decrease the risk of complications and increase the precision and accuracy of surgical procedures.