Intranasal sphenoethmoidectomy and antrotomy.

Acute disorders of the paranasal sinuses are treated primarily by medication. However, chronic sinus disease usually requires some degree of surgery. Intranasal sinus surgery is safe and effective when performed according to precise anatomic guidelines. Chronic infection of the sinuses can be cured by appropriate surgery. Patients with constitutional disorders resulting in intractable vasomotor rhinosinusitis cannot be "cured" by surgery, but they can be helped to cope with their problem with minimal symptomatology. Subsequent medical therapy or minimal surgical adjustments are part of the long-term management and their use does not constitute a valid criticism of the primary operative management.