Risk factors for protracted sinusitis in pediatrics after endoscopic sinus surgery

Objectives: The goal of this article is to investigate the factors leading to protracted nasal discharge after pediatric endoscopic sinus surgery. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all pediatric patients who had received endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis between January 2002 and September 2006 was conducted. The patients were assigned to the "protracted" group if they demonstrated persistent mucopurulent nasal discharge for more than 3 months after endoscopic sinus surgery, and otherwise to the "resolved" group. Results: There were 21 "protracted" patients (39.6%) and 32 "resolved" patients (60.4%). Among these patients, age at diagnosis or operation, time from initial diagnosis to operation, and blood eosinophil count did not differed significantly between the "protracted" and the "resolved" groups. On the other hand, sinonasal polyposis (80.9% vs. 53.1%, P = 0.039), history of allergic rhinitis (52.4% vs. 12.5%, P = 0.002) and gender (male vs. female = 80.9% vs. 43.7%, P = 0.007) were more frequently observed in the "protracted" group than in the "resolved" group. These associations remained significant in a multivariate logistic regression (odds ratio = 9.36, 10.69 and 14.84, respectively). Conclusion: Sinonasal polyposis, history of allergic rhinitis and gender were significant and independent risk factors for protracted nasal discharge after pediatric endoscopic sinus surgery. These risk factors should be taken into consideration during preoperative counseling.