A Novel Technique for Tailoring Frontal Osteoplastic Flaps Using the ENT Magnetic Navigation System

Objective: Precise delineation of the boundaries of the frontal sinus is a crucial step when harvesting a frontal osteoplastic flap. Many different surgical techniques are described in the literature. We present a novel technique using the ENT magnetic navigation system for tailoring frontal osteoplastic flaps.

Design: Retrospective analysis of patients that underwent an osteoplastic flap procedure using the ENT magnetic navigation system between January 2009 and April 2011.

Materials and Methods: The patients eligible for the present analysis were 19, and they were affected by different pathologies involving the frontal sinus, as follows: 3 cases of osteoma, 2 cases of fibrous dysplasia, 8 cases of inverted papilloma, 3 cases of mucocele, and 3 cases of CSF leak of the posterior wall of the frontal sinus.

Results: The ENT magnetic navigation system proved to be a safe and accurate tool for delineating the frontal sinus boundaries. No intraoperative complications occurred during the osteoplastic procedures.

Conclusion: The ENT magnetic navigation system is potentially useful and accurate for harvesting frontal osteoplastic flaps. It represents another valid tool in the wide range of instruments available to rhinologists.