The Draf III procedure as an endoscopic frontal sinus approach. Red de Salud UC Christus’ experience

Abstract

Introduction: The Draf III procedure is an effective approach for the management of frontal sinus disorders. It was originally described as a rescue procedure for the treatment of refractory frontal sinusitis. Currently, it can be used to treat a variety of other disorders. Aim: (1) To review the indications for the Draf III procedure, (2) To evaluate if it enabled appropriate management of the disease, and (3) To evaluate frontal sinus patency. Material and Method: Retrospective descriptive study. Clinical records of patients who underwent a Draf III procedure between the years 2013-2016 (n=11) were re- viewed. Surgical indications, the appropriateness of the approach to manage the frontal sinus disease, frontal sinus patency, and complications were analyzed. Results: Surgical indications included chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps, frontoethmoi- dal osteoma, frontal mucocele, inverted papilloma and esthesioneuroblastoma. In all cases, the approach allowed adequate management of the pathology. All patients had adequate patency of the Draf III at their last follow-up. One patient required a revision Draf III at 15.5 months follow-up because of an inverted papilloma recurrence. No patient required revision surgery for critical stenosis of the Draf III. No surgical complications were observed. Discussion: The Draf III procedure was useful for the management of chronic rhi- nosinusitis, for benign frontal sinus pathologies, and as part of an extended approach to the anterior cranial fossa. Conclusion: In our series, the Draf III procedure was an excellent surgical option for the management of a variety of frontal sinus pathologies.