Influence of extensive functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) on facial growth in children with cystic fibrosis: Comparison of 10 cephalometric parameters of the midface for three study groups

SummaryObjectivesTo determine the impact of FESS after the first and before the second growth spurt on facial growth and in particular of the maxilla.DesignProspective study of 23 patients with cystic fibrosis, 13 patients requiring extensive endoscopic spheno-ethmoidectomy (FESS) because of massive nasal polyposis, with a follow-up of at least 10 years.SettingA cystic fibrosis referral centre in an academic tertiary pediatric hospital.PatientsAt the time the standard cephalometric measurements were performed all patients were adults with cystic fibrosis. One group of patients underwent FESS during facial growth (N = 9), a second group of patients had no previous surgery (N = 9), and in a third group FESS has been performed after the second growth spurt (N = 5).ResultsNo statistically significant differences (Kruskall–Wallis test) were found in the cephalometric measurements of these three patient groups.ConclusionsExtensive FESS after the first and before the second growth spurt has no impact on the outcome of facial growth.