Quality of life after endoscopic sinus surgery in refractory pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis.

Objective: The present study aims to evaluate the role of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS) in refractory pediatric Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) and to assess the change in quality of life after ESS.

Materials And Methods: This prospective interventional study included 35 children (aged between 6 and 12 years) of refractory CRS, not responding to 4 weeks of maximal medical therapy attending the pediatric ENT clinic of a tertiary referral centre. Study period was from November 2013 to March 2016. This patient pool underwent Non Contrast Computed Tomography scan (NCCT) paranasal sinuses and diagnostic nasal endoscopy and those fulfilling the requisite inclusion criteria underwent Endoscopic sinus surgery. Global assessment of Rhinosinusitis Symptom severity score and SN-5 quality of life score of the patients was assessed preoperatively and 1 year after the surgery.

Results: 91.4% children showed an improvement in the total symptom score with a statistically significant (p value < 0.001) reduction in the mean total score postoperatively. Similarly 91.4% of the children showed an improvement in their quality of life with a statistically significant (p value < 0.001) difference seen in the average SN-5 scores after ESS. No major complications were encountered in any of the cases.

Conclusion: ESS is a safe and effective surgical management for children with CRS refractory to maximal medical therapy leading to an improvement in their quality of life.