Effect of Smoking on the Outcome of Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

<jats:p>A number of factors are thought to affect the outcome of functional endoscopic sinus surgery, including the presence of systemic illness, nature and severity of pathology, history of previous surgery and gastro-oesophageal reflux. The aim of this prospective case-control study was to determine whether long-term smokers undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery had poorer outcomes compared to non-smokers. Thirty-two smokers and 30 non-smokers with chronic rhinosinusitis undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery were followed prospectively for 6 months. Staging of disease and scoring of operative data was performed using the Lund and Mackay system. There was no significant difference between both groups in the staging and surgical score. Improvement in most of pre-operative symptoms and healing of the osteomeatal unit was significantly less amongst smokers. Poorer outcomes are to be expected in smokers undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery.</jats:p>