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