Comparison of outcomes of simple polypectomy plus balloon catheter dilatation versus functional endoscopic sinus surgery in nasal polyposis: A preliminary study

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and simple polypectomy plus balloon catheter dilatation (BCD) in nasal polyposis. Methods: Ten patients (six male and four female subjects) with nasal polyposis who underwent surgical treatment were included in this research. BCD was performed on one side of each patient's paranasal sinuses (after nasal polypectomy by microdebrider) while standard FESS was performed on the other side. Preoperatively, all patients were treated with oral methylprednisolone, 1 mg/kg per day, for 5 days, which was reduced and stopped on the 14th day. Pre- and postoperative endoscopic and radiological findings were compared. Endonasal endoscopic examination results were classified according to MacKay classification. Paranasal sinus computed tomography findings were evaluated according to Lund-MacKay classification. Results: Pre- and post medical treatment results of the patients were not significantly different according to MacKay classification. There was no significant difference between the results of FESS and BCD during 12-month follow-up period according to Lund-MacKay and MacKay classifications. There was significant improvement in the results obtained 1 and 12 months after FESS and BCD, respectively. The improvement was also radiologically evident. Conclusion: At 1 year postsurgery, polypectomy plus BCD is as effective as FESS. Longer-term studies are necessary to validate this technique. (Am J Rhinol Allergy 25, 198-200, 2011; doi: 10.2500/ajra.2011.25.3608)