Our Summary

This research paper is about a new tool named the Sinus Surgery Completeness Score (SSCS) that was developed to evaluate how completely a sinus surgery was performed. Currently, many patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) - long-term inflammation of the sinuses - need endoscopic sinus surgery to control their symptoms. However, there is a high rate of patients needing further surgeries. There are also new biological treatments available, but it’s unclear which patients would benefit most from these treatments.

The study applied the SSCS to CT scans of the sinuses of 41 patients with CRS who had already undergone surgery. The results showed that the SSCS was consistent when used by different people (inter-rater reliability), and it took on average 2.7 minutes to complete. Most of the patients had not had a complete surgery according to the SSCS, with the average score being 7.4 out of a possible 24. The study also found that the scores from the SSCS were weakly negatively correlated with two other measures of sinusitis severity.

In simple terms, the researchers have developed a quick and consistent tool that can be used to measure how much surgery has been done on the sinuses. This could be helpful in making decisions about patient care, such as whether they should have biological therapy. Further research is needed to understand more about how the completeness of surgery affects patient outcomes.

FAQs

  1. What is the Sinus Surgery Completeness Score (SSCS)?
  2. How was the SSCS tested and what were the results?
  3. How can the SSCS potentially help in making decisions about patient care?

Doctor’s Tip

A doctor might tell a patient that having a complete sinus surgery, as indicated by the Sinus Surgery Completeness Score, is important for long-term symptom control and potentially reducing the need for additional surgeries. They may also advise the patient to discuss with their healthcare provider the possibility of biological therapy as a treatment option, especially if their sinus surgery was not considered complete. It’s important for patients to follow up regularly with their healthcare team to monitor their sinus health and discuss any concerns or changes in symptoms.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended sinus surgery include those with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) who have not responded well to other treatments such as medications. These patients may experience symptoms such as nasal congestion, facial pain or pressure, headaches, and reduced sense of smell. Patients with nasal polyps, sinus tumors, or structural abnormalities that block the sinuses may also be candidates for sinus surgery. Additionally, patients with recurrent acute sinusitis or complications from sinusitis such as orbital or intracranial infections may also require surgery.

Timeline

Before sinus surgery, a patient typically experiences symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis, such as nasal congestion, facial pain or pressure, difficulty breathing, and reduced sense of smell. They may have tried other treatments, such as medication or nasal sprays, without success. They will likely undergo a consultation with an ENT specialist to determine if surgery is necessary.

After sinus surgery, a patient may experience some discomfort, swelling, and congestion in the days following the procedure. They will need to follow post-operative instructions, such as avoiding strenuous activities, keeping the nasal passages moist with saline sprays, and using prescribed medications. Follow-up appointments with the surgeon will be scheduled to monitor healing and evaluate the effectiveness of the surgery.

Over time, the patient should experience improvement in their symptoms, such as reduced congestion, improved breathing, and better sense of smell. However, some patients may require additional surgeries or alternative treatments if their symptoms persist. The SSCS tool could potentially help in assessing the completeness of the initial surgery and guiding further treatment decisions.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient may want to ask their doctor about sinus surgery and the SSCS tool include:

  1. How does the SSCS tool work and how is it used to evaluate the completeness of sinus surgery?
  2. What does my SSCS score indicate about the completeness of my previous sinus surgery?
  3. How does the completeness of my sinus surgery impact my current symptoms and the likelihood of needing further surgeries?
  4. Are there any implications of my SSCS score for considering biological therapy as a treatment option for my chronic rhinosinusitis?
  5. What further research is needed to better understand the relationship between the completeness of sinus surgery and patient outcomes?
  6. How can the information from the SSCS tool be used to personalize my treatment plan for chronic rhinosinusitis?
  7. Are there any risks or limitations associated with using the SSCS tool to evaluate sinus surgery outcomes?
  8. Can you provide me with more information or resources about the SSCS tool and its use in evaluating sinus surgery?

Reference

Authors: Gupta KK, Okhovat S, Sharma R, Lim A, Beech T, McClelland L, Janjua A, Jolly K. Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2025 Mar;282(3):1301-1309. doi: 10.1007/s00405-024-09110-0. Epub 2024 Dec 4. PMID: 39627580