Revision endoscopic sinus surgery: the St. Paul's Sinus Centre experience.

OBJECTIVE To determine the most common findings in patients undergoing revision endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) presenting to a tertiary rhinology centre. It is our aim that by identifying these findings, the common pitfalls in primary ESS can be avoided to prevent the necessity for revision ESS. METHODS The findings of 73 cases of revision ESS from July 2006 to March 2007 presenting to the St. Paul's Sinus Centre were recorded and then presented. RESULTS There are many common findings at revision ESS, including residual uncinate process, persistent septal deviation, nonphysiologic maxillary antrostomies, incomplete ethmoidectomy, and partial or total resection of the middle and superior turbinate, resulting in the formation of the "uniturbinate." CONCLUSION Many common findings in revision ESS can be avoided with proper primary surgery.