Abstract

Objective: To assess the necessity of routinely performed histological examination in all patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
Methodology: This retrospective study included 166 patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery and had age above 10 years at the time of presentation with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) from January 2012 and August 2017. The Patients with malignancy, bleeding disorders, pregnant and lactating women and patient who underwent conventional procedures for CRS were excluded from the study. Data were analyzed through SPSS version 20.
Results: Out of 166 patients, only 49 (29.5%) were females. Mean age was 38.74±9.43 years. All patients had nasal obstruction. Nasal discharge was present in only 59 (35.5%) and headache in 50% of patients. The nasal polyp was absent in majority of the patients. The histopathological reports showed that inflammation was present in 158 (95.2%). Fungal hyphae were reported in 6.6% of patients. Two patients reports showed malignancy.
Conclusion: All nasal polyp specimens removed intraoperatively must be submitted for histopathological examination. Failure to do so may delay the proper treatment planned out with impending medicolegal issues.

Key words: Histopathology, nasal polyp specimens, chronic rhinosinusitis, functional endoscopic sinus surgery.