Our Summary

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a common genetic disease among Caucasians which often results in chronic sinusitis, a condition causing inflammation and swelling in the sinus passages. Roughly half of all CF patients experience these symptoms. This study aimed to assess the effects of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS), a surgical procedure to remove blockages in the sinuses, on the quality of life of CF patients, with a particular focus on those who have undergone lung transplants.

54 adult CF patients were studied, with measures including the Lund-Kennedy and Lund-Mackay scores (which assess the severity of sinus disease) and the SNOT-22 (a questionnaire evaluating the severity of sinusitis symptoms). The study found that around 40% of the CF patients underwent ESS and these patients had higher scores on all measures, indicating more severe sinus disease and symptoms.

However, the study concluded that ESS significantly improved the quality of life for CF patients who did not respond to regular medical treatment. Furthermore, it helped stabilize respiratory function in patients who had undergone lung transplants.

FAQs

  1. What is Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS) and how does it help CF patients?
  2. What percentage of CF patients in the study had undergone ESS and what was the impact on their sinus disease severity?
  3. How does ESS improve the quality of life and respiratory function in CF patients who have undergone lung transplants?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might give a patient about sinus surgery is to follow post-operative care instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of complications. This may include taking prescribed medications, avoiding activities that could strain the surgical site, and attending follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider. It is also important to communicate any concerns or changes in symptoms to your doctor promptly.

Suitable For

Therefore, sinus surgery is typically recommended for patients with cystic fibrosis who have chronic sinusitis that does not respond to other medical treatments, as well as for those who have undergone lung transplants and are experiencing sinus-related issues.

Timeline

Before sinus surgery, a patient with chronic sinusitis may experience symptoms such as facial pain, headaches, nasal congestion, and difficulty breathing. They may have tried various medications and treatments to manage their symptoms, but have not found relief.

After sinus surgery, the patient can expect some discomfort and swelling in the nasal passages for a few days. They may need to use saline rinses and nasal sprays to help with healing. Over time, they should experience improved breathing, reduced sinus pressure, and a decrease in sinusitis symptoms. The patient may also notice improvements in their overall quality of life, including better sleep and reduced reliance on medications. In the case of CF patients, sinus surgery may help improve respiratory function and stabilize lung transplant outcomes.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about sinus surgery include:

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with sinus surgery?
  2. How long is the recovery period after sinus surgery?
  3. Will I need to take time off work or make any lifestyle changes after surgery?
  4. Will sinus surgery completely alleviate my symptoms, or will I need additional treatments?
  5. Are there any alternative treatments to sinus surgery that I should consider?
  6. How often do patients with cystic fibrosis undergo sinus surgery, and what are the success rates?
  7. Will sinus surgery have any impact on my lung function or overall health, especially if I have undergone a lung transplant?
  8. How long will the effects of sinus surgery last, and will I need to undergo additional procedures in the future?
  9. Will I need to follow any specific post-operative care instructions or attend follow-up appointments after sinus surgery?
  10. Can you provide any information about your experience and success rate with sinus surgery for patients with cystic fibrosis?

Reference

Authors: Luparello P, Lazio MS, Voltolini L, Borchi B, Taccetti G, Maggiore G. Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2019 May;276(5):1341-1347. doi: 10.1007/s00405-019-05308-9. Epub 2019 Jan 28. PMID: 30689038