Introduction

The concept of functional endoscopic sinus surgery was developed by Walter Messerklinger in Graz, Austria in the early 1970s following extensive research into the pathophysiology and anatomy of the paranasal sinuses. The development of the operating microscope in the late 1950s improved the peroperative view of the nasal cavity, especially that of the posterior ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses. The key theory of endoscopic sinus surgery is that, by removing localized disease obstructing the narrow ethmoid clefts, and thereby restoring normal mucociliary clearance and ventilation, spontaneous resolution of the mucosal disease in the maxillary and frontal sinuses will follow without the need for radical mucosal excision. Systematic endoscopic assessment of the lateral nasal wall in conjunction with computed tomographyof the nose and paranasal sinuses allows precise localization of the underlying disease processes and thus aids the clinician in planning appropriate therapy.