Endoscopic repair of isolated anterior table frontal sinus fractures.

BACKGROUND: Recently developed endoscopic brow-lifting techniques and instrumentation are being used for treatment of anterior table frontal sinus fractures. Potential endoscopic treatment options include fracture reduction with or without plating and fracture repair with hydroxyapatite bone cement (HA).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of miniplates and HA for repair of anterior table fractures.

METHODS: Frontal sinus fractures were generated in 11 cadavers. Standard endoscopic brow-lifting techniques were used to visualize the fracture from above. A 1-cm Lynch incision was used to apply instrumentation from below. Fractures were repaired with either miniplate reduction or HA recontouring.

RESULTS: All fractures were exposed without difficulty. Miniplates were applied in 5 specimens: 1 specimen had a complete reduction, 2 specimens had partial reductions, and 2 specimens had incomplete reductions. Bone cement was applied in 9 specimens: 4 specimens were rated as excellent and 5 specimens as good.

CONCLUSIONS: Frontal sinus fractures can be successfully exposed and repaired with an endoscopic technique. Endoscopic miniplate reduction of frontal sinus fractures can be accomplished. However, it is challenging, and success rates vary depending on fracture comminution. Endoscopic HA recontouring offered the best results, with good or excellent outcomes in all specimens.