Endoscopic Frontal Sinus Drill-out (Modified Lothrop)

Indications:

  • Symptomatic chronic frontal sinusitis
  • Frontal stenosis despite prior more limited attempts at opening of frontal recess

Highlights:

  • Anterior-posterior opening from olfactory cleft (posteriorly) to bone just below nasal skin (anteriorly)
  • Side-to-side opening from lamina papyracea to lamina papyracea including removal of both middle turbinates and superior septum

Keep in Mind/Things to Remember:

  • Superior septectomy improves access for drilling
  • Diameter will often shrink postoperatively due to scar contraction