Effect of endoscopic sinus surgery on pulmonary function and microbial pathogens in a pediatric population with cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether improvements in pulmonary function and microbial pathogenic findings can be achieved by endoscopic sinus surgery in a pediatric population with cystic fibrosis.

DESIGN: Retrospective medical record review.

SETTING: Academic research.

PATIENTS: Forty-one patients with cystic fibrosis who had undergone endoscopic sinus surgery at a single tertiary academic pediatric otolaryngology practice.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in pulmonary function test values or respiratory tract microbial pathogens after endoscopic sinus surgery were examined.

RESULTS: Endoscopic sinus surgery did not improve pulmonary function test results in this population. Examination of respiratory tract microbial colonization showed that endoscopic sinus surgery did not affect microbial pathogens. The most common organisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

CONCLUSION: The lack of effect of endoscopic sinus surgery on pulmonary function test results and respiratory tract microbial pathogens in our study highlights the need for prospective assessments of postoperative quality-of-life improvement and of adjunct medical therapy efficacy.