Long terms results of Draf type III (modified endoscopic Lothrop) frontal sinus drainage procedure in 122 patients: a single centre experience.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and factors associated with restenosis after Draf type III (Endoscopic Modified Lothrop) frontal sinus drainage procedure.

DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.

PATIENTS: A hundred and twenty two consecutive patients undergoing Draf III procedure for recalcitrant chronic frontal rhinosinusitis (CRS) (71%), frontal sinus mucocoele (15%), benign frontal sinus tumours (9%) and cystic fibrosis with severe CRS (5%) were followed up for an average of 33 months.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Symptom burden (Visual Analogue Scale and Rhinosinusitis Outcome Measure), patency of neo-ostium and revision surgery.

RESULTS: At the end of follow up, ninety percent of patients had a patent neo-ostium, while 88% were either clinically better or completely asymptomatic. Thirty-nine patients required endoscopic revision surgery and 9 eventually underwent frontal sinus obliteration. Sixty percent of revision operations were performed during the first two years. RSOM showed a significant improvement in both general and nasal symptoms while on a VAS, headache improved significantly. The only factor weakly associated with re-stenosis was the presence of allergy. There were no major complications during any of the procedures.

CONCLUSION: Draf III Procedure is safe and effective for patients who have failed conventional frontal sinus procedures and a valid alternative to frontal sinus obliteration. Although the revision rate may appear to be quite significant, it can often be performed as an outpatient procedure and needs to be balanced against the reduced morbidity and the ease of follow-up.