Functional assessment of septo(rhino)plasty revision surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Functional septo(rhino)plasty incurs a 17-25% rate of revision for persistent symptoms. OBJECTIVES: The main study objective was to assess functional results before and after surgical revision. The secondary objective was to describe the shortcomings or excesses of the prior surgeries, with a-posteriori comparison of efficacy for the surgical techniques requiring revision. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective study included functional salvage septo(rhino)plasties. Data comprised epidemiology, intraoperative anatomic abnormalities indicative of prior surgery, operative correction maneuvers, and pre- and post-intervention NOSE and RhinoQoL scores and satisfaction on VAS. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients were included. Anatomic abnormalities comprised deviated posterior septum (81.7%) and chondroethmoidal junction (58.5%), valve stenosis (54.9%), and obstructive boney spur or crest (46.3%). Prior surgeries comprised 33 submucosal resections, 29 septorhinoplasties, 14 Cottle septoplasties and 5 Killian procedures. Complete septoplasty was performed in 80% of cases, with associated maneuvers in 15%. All scores showed improvement taking the whole population together (P<10-5), but on subgroup analysis improvement concerned only revision of septorhinoplasty (P<10-4) and of submucosal resection (P<10-3), while 17% of patients showed no change in scores. CONCLUSION: Functional nasoseptal salvage surgery enables most patients to recover respiratory comfort, with the exception of a few cases despite a perfectly straight nasal septum.

A short history of nasal polyposis.

Nasal polyposis was initially considered a tumor, but came to be seen as a chronic inflammatory mucosal disease during the second half of the 20th century. Although pathogenesis remains unclear, this has not prevented progress in diagnosis and treatment, both surgical and medical, based on the hypotheses of chronic rhinosinusitis with type-2 inflammation and autoimmune inflammation maintained by the vestigial olfactory mucosa of the ethmoid.

Consensus criteria for chronic rhinosinusitis disease control: an international Delphi Study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) disease control is a global metric of disease status for CRS. While there is broad acceptance that it is an important treatment goal, there has been inconsistency in the criteria used to define CRS control. The objective of this study was to identify and develop consensus around essential criteria for assessment of CRS disease control. METHODS: Modified Delphi methodology consisting of three rounds to review a list of 24 possible CRS control criteria developed by a 12-person steering committee. The core authorship of the multidisciplinary EPOS 2020 guidelines was invited to participate. RESULTS: Thirty-two individuals accepted the invitation to participate and there was no dropout of participants throughout the entire study (3 rounds). Consensus essential criteria for assessment of CRS control were: overall symptom severity, need for CRS-related systemic corticosteroids in the prior 6 months, severity of nasal obstruction, and patient-reported CRS control. Near-consensus items were: nasal endoscopy findings, severity of smell loss, overall quality of life, impairment of normal activities and severity of nasal discharge. Participants’ comments provided insights into caveats of, and disagreements related to, near-consensus items. CONCLUSIONS: Overall symptom severity, use of CRS-related systemic corticosteroids, severity of nasal obstruction, and patient-reported CRS control are widely agreed upon essential criteria for assessment of CRS disease control. Consideration of near-consensus items to assess CRS control should be implemented with their intrinsic caveats in mind. These identified consensus CRS control criteria, together with evidence-based support, will provide a foundation upon which CRS control criteria with wide-spread acceptance can be developed.

Critical review of diagnosis in rhinology and its therapeutical implications.

Diagnosis in rhinology is currently based on the concept of inflammation (chronic rhinosinusitis [CRS]) or the clinical concept of chronic nasal dysfunction (CND). The complementarity between these two approaches can be discussed by a critical review of the literature structured by the analysis of the fundamental and diagnostic bases and the therapeutic implications linked to each. The concept of CRS is based on the anatomical continuity of the nasal and sinus respiratory mucosa and molecular biology data, seeking to analyze the mechanisms of chronic inflammation and to identify proteins and biomarkers involved in the different supposed endotypes of chronic inflammation of this mucosa. The concept of CND seeks to analyze medical, instrumental or surgical diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, taking account of both inflammatory and non-inflammatory causes impacting the anatomy or physiology of each of the three noses (olfactory, respiratory and sinus) that make up the mid-face sinonasal organ of evolution-development (Evo-Devo) theory. Thus, the concept of CRS offers an endotypic approach, based on biological characterization of mucosal inflammation, while the concept of CND offers a compartmentalized phenotypic and pathophysiological approach to sinonasal diseases. The joint contribution of these two concepts in characterizing nasal functional pathology could in future improve the medical service provided to patients.

Radiotherapy of sinonasal cancers.

We present the update of the recommendations of the French society of radiotherapy and oncology on the indications and the technical methods of carrying out radiotherapy of sinonasal cancers. Sinonasal cancers (nasal fossae and sinus) account for 3 to 5% of all cancers of the head and neck. They include carcinomas, mucosal melanomas, sarcomas and lymphomas. The management of sinonasal cancers is multidisciplinary but less standardized than that of squamous cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract. As such, patients with sinonasal tumors can benefit from the expertise of the French expertise network for rare ENT cancers (Refcor). Knowledge of sinonasal tumour characteristics (histology, grade, risk of lymph node involvement, molecular characterization, type of surgery) is critical to the determination of target volumes. An update of multidisciplinary indications and recommendations for radiotherapy in terms of techniques, target volumes and radiotherapy fractionation of the French society of radiotherapy and oncology (SFRO) was reported in this manuscript.

Paediatric nasal irrigation: The "fencing" method.

Nasal irrigation is a grade A recommendation treatment, which is essential in many pathological conditions. Very heterogeneous practices are observed in paediatrics as a result of poor instruction in this technique. We propose to describe the nasal irrigation technique developed by a team of respiratory physiotherapists in Lille for the management of cystic fibrosis and bronchiolitis. This technique is intended for children over the age of 6 months, as it requires an oral breathing reflex and cough reflex that are not systematically acquired before this age. Nasal irrigation is performed on a 30° upward inclined plane on a calm and cooperative child, away from meals. The child is maintained gently, without pressure, in the fencing position with the head turned away from the practitioner. Using a continuous flow spray, the practitioner grasps the top of the upper nostril and irrigates the nostril for an average of 3 s (6mL per nostril). These steps are then repeated until satisfactory patency is achieved in both nostrils. This technique constitutes a practical tool to help healthcare professionals and parents perform nasal irrigation in young children over the age of 6 months.

Assessment of quality and safety in rhinologic day surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare the safety and quality of the management of sinonasal surgery (all procedures) between day-case and traditional admission. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 2-year retrospective study included all patients undergoing functional septonasal surgery, ethmoidectomy, middle antrostomy, frontal sinusotomy or endoscopic sphenoidotomy, as day-surgery on inpatient admission. Demographic, operative, pre- and post-operative anesthetic data, complications, and rates of emergency consultation and readmission within 30 days were collected and compared between out- and in-patients. RESULTS: Nine hundred and nine patients were included: 569 functional septonasal surgeries, 180 ethmoidectomies, 101 middle meatotomies, 40 Draf procedures and 19 sphenoidotomies; respectively 60%, 21%, 54%, 20% and 37% were performed in the day-surgery unit. There were no significant differences in number of emergency consultations or readmissions between the out- and in-patient groups. There were more complications in in-patients (P<0.0001) (4.9% anticoagulant and 12% antiplatelet treatments, 18% obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndromes). The conversion rate to conventional admission was 4.6%. Antiplatelet treatment or postoperative nasal packing were not significant risk factors for complications or readmission. CONCLUSION: Outpatient sinonasal surgery does not seem to incur extra risk for the patient or surgeon when eligibility criteria are met.

COVID-19 and rhinology, from the consultation room to the operating theatre.

The purpose of this article is to give rhinologists advice on how to adapt their standard practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main goal of these recommendations is to protect healthcare workers against COVID-19 while continuing to provide emergency care so as to prevent loss of chance for patients. We reviewed our recommendations concerning consultations, medical prescriptions and surgical activity in rhinology.

European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020.

The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020 is the update of similar evidence based position papers published in 2005 and 2007 and 2012. The core objective of the EPOS2020 guideline is to provide revised, up-to-date and clear evidence-based recommendations and integrated care pathways in ARS and CRS. EPOS2020 provides an update on the literature published and studies undertaken in the eight years since the EPOS2012 position paper was published and addresses areas not extensively covered in EPOS2012 such as paediatric CRS and sinus surgery. EPOS2020 also involves new stakeholders, including pharmacists and patients, and addresses new target users who have become more involved in the management and treatment of rhinosinusitis since the publication of the last EPOS document, including pharmacists, nurses, specialised care givers and indeed patients themselves, who employ increasing self-management of their condition using over the counter treatments. The document provides suggestions for future research in this area and offers updated guidance for definitions and outcome measurements in research in different settings. EPOS2020 contains chapters on definitions and classification where we have defined a large number of terms and indicated preferred terms. A new classification of CRS into primary and secondary CRS and further division into localized and diffuse disease, based on anatomic distribution is proposed. There are extensive chapters on epidemiology and predisposing factors, inflammatory mechanisms, (differential) diagnosis of facial pain, allergic rhinitis, genetics, cystic fibrosis, aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease, immunodeficiencies, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis and the relationship between upper and lower airways. The chapters on paediatric acute and chronic rhinosinusitis are totally rewritten. All available evidence for the management of acute rhinosinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps in adults and children is systematically reviewed and integrated care pathways based on the evidence are proposed. Despite considerable increases in the amount of quality publications in recent years, a large number of practical clinical questions remain. It was agreed that the best way to address these was to conduct a Delphi exercise . The results have been integrated into the respective sections. Last but not least, advice for patients and pharmacists and a new list of research needs are included. The full document can be downloaded for free on the website of this journal: http://www.rhinologyjournal.com.

French Otorhinolaryngology Society (SFORL) good practice guidelines for dental implant surgery close to the maxillary sinus.

OBJECTIVES: To draw up guidelines for ENT management associated with dental implant surgery with or without sinus lift. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The methodology followed the rules of laid down by the French Health Authority (HAS): "Methodological bases for drawing up professional recommendations by formalized consensus". The chosen method was the RAND/UCLA "RAND appropriateness method" (short version). RESULTS: In the pre-implantation check-up, it is recommended to systematically screen for sinonasal pathology on medical interview and to favor 3D CT or cone-beam imaging. It is recommended that imaging include the entire maxillary sinus when the patient does not have sinonasal history or functional signs on interview. Otherwise, examination of all sinonasal cavities is recommended. This attitude enables simultaneous analysis of maxillary infrastructure for pre-implantation work-up and assessment of sinonasal cavity status. Sinus mucosal incidentalomas are very common in the healthy population and must be assessed with reference to the clinical, endoscopic and radiological context. CONCLUSION: This formalized expert consensus establishes a common base of knowledge, to clarify the issues and clinical situations and to standardize practices.

Oncologic outcomes, prognostic factor analysis and therapeutic algorithm evaluation of head and neck mucosal melanomas in France.

BACKGROUND: Head and neck mucosal melanoma (HNMM) is aggressive and rare, with a poor prognosis because of its high metastatic potential. The two main subtypes are sinonasal (sinonasal mucosal melanoma [SNMM]) and oral cavity (oral cavity mucosal melanoma [OCMM]). Consensual therapeutic guidelines considering the primary tumour site and tumour-node-metastasis (TNM) stage are not well established. MATERIAL & METHODS: Patients with HNMM from the prospective national French Rare Head and Neck Cancer Expert Network database between 2000 and 2017 were included. Clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, outcomes and prognostic factors were analysed. RESULTS: In total, 314 patients were included. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 49.4% and 24.7%, respectively, in the surgery group; no long-term survivors were observed when surgery was not feasible. Moreover, even after surgery, a high recurrence rate was reported with a median PFS of 22 months. In multivariate analysis, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) stage and tumour site correlated with PFS and OS. Postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) improved the PFS but not OS in patients with small (T3) SNMM and OCMM tumours. Nodal involvement was more frequent in patients with OCMM (p < 10-4), although, as in SNMM, it was not a significant prognostic predictor. CONCLUSION: Even early HNMM was associated with poor oncologic outcomes due to distant metastases despite surgical resection with clear margins. Lymph node metastases had no impact on the prognosis, suggesting treatment de-escalation in cervical node management. PORT might be useful for local control.

Feasibility study of bilateral radical ethmoidectomy in ambulatory surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility of bilateral radical ethmoidectomy in ambulatory surgery by risk analysis, and to calculate possible medico-economic savings. METHODS: This study was performed retrospectively over a 2-year period and prospectively for 1 year. It included all patients undergoing bilateral ethmoidectomy, associated to sphenoidotomy and/or septoplasty or not, in a university hospital department. Data were collected on demographics, disease etiology, previous surgery, operative details, postoperative course, complications and satisfaction assessed by questionnaire at days 1 and 30. Ambulatory surgery eligibility criteria were applied to this population, and an economic analysis compared savings between inpatient and outpatient management. RESULTS: Hundred and sixty-five patients were included. Surgical indications comprised nasal polyposis (87%), chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps (6%) or cystic fibrosis (7%). Seventy-five septoplasties were associated (45.5%). Operating time depended on associated septoplasty (P=0.005), surgeon experience (P<0.0001) and previous sinus surgery (P=0.041). Only 37% of the patients wished for same-day discharge; reasons for refusal were home-to-hospital distance and bleeding risk. Considering anesthesia contraindications, immediate complications and operating time, 107 patients were eligible for outpatient treatment, although only 13 patients underwent ambulatory surgery. Medical-economic savings with outpatient management would have been about €20,000 per year. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral radical ethmoidectomy, associated to septoplasty or not, could be performed on an outpatient basis in more than 60% of cases, without increased risk, and with cost savings of 28.4%.

International survey and consensus (ICON) on ambulatory surgery in rhinology.

OBJECTIVES: Day-case surgery is the gold standard to several surgical procedures in Rhinology. However, few data and guidelines have been published except in the Anglo-Saxon countries and France. The aim of this survey was to propose a list of issues arising during day-case surgery in order to analyze the different constraints encountered around the world. MATERIAL AND METHOD: It was a prospective multicenter international email survey. The method was based on the formalized expert consensus methodology. A list of 11 issues was based on literature data and was sent by e-mail to 265 key opinion leaders (KOL) who attended the IFOS congress. RESULTS: The response rate was 20% from 27 countries without statistical difference between continents concerning the score on each item. The mean age of KOL was 50±10 years. Their mean length of experience was 21±10 years. Issues in relation with technical resources and experience showed that the last time at which ambulatory surgery in the day is possible was 4:00 PM but responses varied depending the availability of technical resources. Bleeding or hematoma occurred most frequently between the third and fourth postoperative day whatever the surgical procedure. A strong agreement and consensus was obtained concerning the nasal packing, septal contention and their schedule of removal which were not a contraindication of day-case. Also 75% of participants were agreeing with a therapeutic education program to improve the performance of postoperative care and decrease readmission rates. A relative agreement without consensus were obtained for the distance between the day-case unit and home, the role of surgery duration and the impact of anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet drugs in overnight admission and readmission rates. CONCLUSION: Practice varies widely owing to local organization constraints and the availability of a dedicated day-case unit seems to be the main limiting factor.

Design and assessment of an anatomical diagram for sinonasal malignant tumour resection.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our work was to design and assess the comprehensibility of an anatomical diagram for recording surgical and pathological results after the removal of sinonasal malignant tumours by endoscopic endonasal surgery. METHODOLOGY: To create the first version of the diagram, we determined the functional and technical specifications for its use. The anatomical structures that appear on it were selected from the pathological reports of previous interventions. The comprehensibility of the diagram was tested by two successive multicentre labelling tests. Successive modifications led to the creation of a definitive version of the diagram. RESULTS: A diagram of the sinonasal cavities in exploded view was created from 47 selected anatomical structures. Labelling tests led to modifying the diagram by the overall restructuring and removal of the least recognized structures. In the labelling test of version 2, the mean global identification rate was 97.1 plus/minus 4.9% for 36 participants and all tested structures achieved a specific identification rate equal to or greater than 75%. CONCLUSIONS: This diagram of the sinonasal cavities is a comprehensible validated tool that allows the resection and invasion of sinonasal malignant tumours to be recorded. This three-dimensional diagram facilitates the understanding of the size, location and extensions of tumours. It may improve case presentations and communication in multidisciplinary team meetings.

External versus endoscopic approach in the management of 131 sinonasal inverted papillomas.

BACKGROUND: Incidence of inverted Papilloma (IP) is around 0.5% to 4% of all nasal tumours. It is characterised by its propensy for local invasiveness, recurrence and malignant transformation. The treatment of reference is surgery. The aim of our study was to compare our oncologic outcome and morbidity between the open and the endoscopic approach to remove inverted papillomas. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This retrospective study includes all primary and benign cases operated between 1985 and 2012. We assessed epidemiologic data, medical history, tumour location, morbidity of treatment, pathological outcomes, patient's follow-up and rate of recurrence. The mean time of surgery, of follow-up and recurrence delay were compared. RESULTS: 131 patients were included: 77 operated by lateral rhinotomy or mid-facial degloving and 54 by endoscopic approach (± associated with a limited Caldwell-Luc or a frontal incision). The mean time of surgery for the endoscopic approach was 76 ± 46 min (10-240 min) vs 163 ± 46 min (60-300 min) for the open approach (p< 10(-5)). The uncinate process was included in most of the IP (97/131; 74%), including its horizontal and/or vertical parts. The mean follow-up in endoscopic group was 43 ± 32 months (12-177 months) vs 73 ± 48 months (12-221 months) for the open approach group (p< 10(-4)). The recurrence rates are not significantly different for both groups: 9% (7/77) after open approach vs 7.4% (4/54) after endoscopic approach (p> 0.05). Also, the mean delay of recurrence was not different between both group (p> 0.05) and the propensy of recurrence didn't depend on the degree of dysplasia. There were fewer complications in the endoscopic group (13%) than in the open approach group (57%). CONCLUSION: According to several authors we found no statistical difference on the oncological outcome between surgery via open versus endoscopic approach to remove IP. Endoscopic surgery offers less complications and morbidity than external approach.

French Otorhinolaryngology Society guidelines for day-case nasal surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The French Otorhinolaryngology Society (SFORL) set up a work group to draw up a consensus document on day-case surgery in four rhinologic procedures: endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy (French National Health Insurance (CCAM) code GBPE001), septoplasty (GAMA007), and reduction of nasal bone fracture using a direct approach (LAEA007) and using a closed technique (LAEP002). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methodology followed the French Health Authority (HAS) "Methodological Bases for Drawing Up Professional Guidelines by Formalized Consensus" published in January 2006; the method chosen was the short version of the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method (without editorial group), as the work group topic was highly specialized, with few experts available. RESULTS: Ahead of any day-case sinonasal surgery, it is recommended that patient eligibility criteria be respected and hemorrhagic risk assessed; preference should be given to short procedures involving little variation in surgery time and minimizing blood-loss, and associated procedures (e.g., septoplasty+turbinectomy) should be avoided. The patient and family should be informed of specific hemorrhagic, orbital and/or neuromeningeal risks, onset of which may preclude discharge home. Uni- or bilateral postoperative nasal packing is not a contraindication to day-case management. CONCLUSION: All four procedures may be performed on a day-case basis. Eligibility criteria should be systematically respected, but hemorrhagic risk, which is very specific to the sinonasal organ, is to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, as it is a major issue in this kind of management for a non-negligible number of patients.

Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartomas and olfactory function.

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma can occur alone or associated with several diseases with very different pathological processes. Our hypothesis is that REAH is a non-specific reaction of the nose when olfaction is impaired. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This is a retrospective study including all patients with HERA operated in an academic ENT department. Data analysis focused on the pre and post-operative olfaction, corticosteroids consumption, histological results of the polyps, the evolution of the disease allowing a comparison of HERA with or without polyps and comparison of data literature. RESULTS: 28 patients suffered from REAH of which 18 are associated with polyps. Nineteen patients had inflammatory disease with a 9 year interval between initial diagnosis and surgery of REAH. Olfactory function was improved after surgery (p < 0.01). The cell content of the polyps showed eosinophilic infiltration in 8 patients which 6 were correlated with inflammatory disease. Lymphoplasmacytic infiltration was present in 10 patients which 8 were correlated with inflammatory disease. Nasal corticosteroid consumption decreased after surgery (p < 0.02). The mean follow-up after surgery was 34 ± 43 months. Polyp recurrence rate was 11% (3 patients), and 0% for REAH. CONCLUSION: In most cases, olfactory function, cellular infiltration and polyp recurrence rate are not correlated with the pathophysiological inflammatory processes that coincides with REAH. Therefore, the co-existence of nasal polyposis with REAH is probably overestimated.

Rebound congestion and rhinitis medicamentosa: nasal decongestants in clinical practice. Critical review of the literature by a medical panel.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic and topical nasal decongestants are widely used in otorhinolaryngology and general practice for the management of acute rhinosinusitis and as an adjuvant in certain forms of chronic rhinosinusitis. These products, very effective to rapidly improve nasal congestion, are sometimes available over the counter and can be the subject of misuse, which is difficult to control. The Société Française d'ORL has recently issued guidelines concerning the use of these decongestants in the doctor's office and the operating room. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The review of the literature conducted by the task force studied in detail the concepts of "rebound congestion" and "rhinitis medicamentosa" often reported in a context of misuse, particularly of topical nasal decongestants. The clinical and histopathological consequences of prolonged and repeated use of nasal decongestants have been studied on animal models and healthy subjects. RESULTS: Discordant results have been obtained, as some authors reported a harmful effect of nasal decongestants on the nasal mucosa, while others did not identify any significant changes. No study has been able to distinguish between inflammatory lesions induced by chronic rhinosinusitis and lesions possibly related to the use of nasal decongestants. DISCUSSION: The task force explained the rebound congestion observed after stopping nasal decongestant treatment by return of the nasal congestion induced by rhinosinusitis and rejected the concept of rhinitis medicamentosa in the absence of scientific evidence from patients with rhinosinusitis. CONCLUSION: Nasal decongestants are recommended for the management of acute rhinosinusitis to reduce the consequences of often disabling nasal congestion. They are also recommended during rhinoscopic examination and for preparation of the nasal mucosa prior to endonasal surgery.

[Feasibility study of septoplasties and septorhinoplasties in ambulatory surgery]. / Etude de faisabilité des septoplasties et septorhinoplasties en chirurgie ambulatoire.

OBJECTIVES: Feasibility assessment of septoplasty and septorhinoplasty as ambulatory procedures, from analysis of the activity of a university ENT department. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis over 2 years. The demographic data, the distance between the patient's home and the ENT department, the cause of the septal deviation, the exact kind of surgery, the time of the beginning of the anaesthesia, the duration of the surgery, the postoperative data, the complications and the duration of hospitalization were collected. The operating durations were compared according to the sex, to the cause of the septal deviation, to previous surgery or not and to the kind of surgery performed, using Mann-Whitney's test. The correlations between the age, the operating duration and the time of the beginning of the anaesthesia were estimated using Spearman's test. Then, all the criteria of eligibility for an ambulatory surgical procedure were applied to this population, taking into account or not the distance between the patient's home and the ENT department. A financial analysis was realized on the eligible population, comparing the earnings for a traditional hospitalization with an ambulatory one. RESULTS: 424 patients were included, with an average age of 38 years old. 47 patients had an anaesthetic contraindication for the ambulatory surgery. 226 nasoseptal deviations were congenital (53.3%) and 198 post-traumatic (46.7%). 353 patients had never had a nasoseptal surgery (83.25%). The average time of the beginning of the anaesthesia was 10:55 am. The average durations were 75.8 +/- 32 min for septoplasty versus 127.5 +/- 44 min for the other acts (p < 10-5). There was a strong statistical difference of operating durations between a first surgery and a secondary surgical revision; as well as between a congenital cause and post-traumatic one (p < 10-5). There was an inverse correlation between the age and the operating duration (p < 10-4) and a correlation between the age and the time of the beginning of the anaesthesia (p < 10-5). 23 patients (5.42%) suffered from pains, nausea/vomitings and epistaxis within the 6 postoperative hours, that would have prevented them from going back home. 23 patients (5.42%) presented hematoma, infections, scar disunity, pains and faintness between day 4 and day 8 after surgery. In all, considering a distance shorter then an 1 hour drive from the ENT department, 69 patients (16.3%) were eligible retrospectively for an ambulatory surgery; they would have been 154 (40.8%) in the absence of this criteria. The medico-economic earnings would have been about 39,900 euros for 69 patients, for 2 years. CONCLUSION: 17 to 40% of the patients were potentially eligible for an ambulatory procedure, without endangering them.

Osteoblastoma of the ethmoid sinus.

Osteoblastoma is a rare benign bone tumor that occurs unusually in the nasal sinuses. We report one case of sinonasal osteoblastoma in a 12-year-old girl who presented with nasal obstruction and telecanthus on the right side. Computed tomography revealed a lesion of the right ethmoid sinus with heterogenous bony density, which was displacing the orbital contents and the skull base. Biopsy caused significant bleeding. Magnetic resonance imaging showed intense homogeneous enhancement with typical flow-void areas due to large pathological vessels. This MRI feature must alert the clinician on the diagnosis before biopsy and surgical resection after embolization is performed. This case report describes the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties of this rare tumor.