Complication Rates in the Surgical Approach to Sinonasal Malignancy

UPMC physicians Carl Snyderman, MD, MBA, and Eric Wang, MD, took part in a multicenter study that evaluated complication rates in patients with sinonasal malignancy (SNM) after surgical resection.
Although the management of SNM often includes surgical resection, surgical morbidity can occur. Risk factors associated with complications in this population have not been thoroughly investigated given the evolution of management of SNM in recent years.  

To further investigate these risks, researchers enrolled adult patients with SNM into an observational, multicenter study. All enrolled patients’ primary treatment included surgical resection – endoscopic resection or open/combined resection. 

Complications assessed included cerebrospinal fluid leak; orbital injury; intracranial injury; diplopia; meningitis; osteoradionecrosis; hospitalization for neutropenia; and subsequent chronic rhinosinusitis.

In total, 142 patients met the inclusion criteria with 16.2% having at least one complication. This aligns with previously reported studies. 

Additionally, undergoing open/combined resection was associated with an increased likelihood of complications after accounting for differences in sex and adjuvant radiation. Of the participants, 69.0% underwent endoscopic resection and 31.0% underwent open/combined resection.

Findings from this study provide multicenter data to strengthen the literature and provide new insights through a detailed view of complications during SNM resection. They also show that prospective, multicenter evaluation of SNM treatment outcomes is feasible.

Read the full study here.

About Dr. Snyderman

Carl Snyderman, MD, MBA, is a professor of Otolaryngology and Neurological Surgery and the Otolaryngology director of the Center for Cranial Base Surgery. He is recognized internationally as a pioneer and leader in the development of the endoscopic endonasal approach, a minimally invasive surgical approach to the cranial base. His areas of interest include angiofibromas, cerebrospinal fluid leak, olfactory neuroblastoma, pediatric skull base tumors, and sinonasal malignancy. 

About Dr. Wang

Eric Wang, MD, is a professor of Otolaryngology, Neurological Surgery, and Ophthalmology and director of education for the Center for Cranial Base Surgery. His areas of clinical focus include endoscopic and open skull base surgery for the management of sinonasal and skull base tumors, repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks, endoscopic orbital surgery, and revision endoscopic sinus surgery.