OBJECTIVETo summarize the follow-up outcomes of Draf IIb frontal sinusotomy and it's modified procedures, and to discuss the surgical indications and prognostic factors.

METHODSThirty-two patients treated between 2004 and 2010 were enrolled in this study. There were 15 patients for recurrent frontal inverted papilloma (IP), 6 for mucocele, 4 for recurrent frontal sinusitis, 3 for osteoma, 2 for meningoencephalocele with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, 1 for meningoencephalocele alone and 1 for acute frontal sinusitis. All patients underwent preoperative paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) scans. Patients with tumor accepted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The patients with meningoencephalocele and cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea received magnetic resonance cisternography (MRC). The Draf IIb frontal sinusotomy and it's modified Draf IIb-1-3 procedures were applied endoscopically under general anesthesia mainly by high speed bur and power system. The postoperative CT scan was obtained as a base line for follow-up 1 week after the operation. Postoperative follow-up was performed under endoscope.

RESULTSAmong 19 cases of Draf IIb, 12 were recurrent IP of frontal sinus, 4 were mucocele, 2 were recurrent frontal sinusitis and 1 were osteoma. Five cases received Draf IIb-1, 2 for each recurrent IP of frontal sinus and recurrent frontal sinusitis and 1 for osteoma. Six cases received Draf IIb-2, 3 for meningoencephalocele, 1 for each IP, acute frontal sinusitis and osteoma. Two cases received Draf IIb-3 were mucocele. The follow-up ranged from 8 to 73 months. Twenty-two cases of the frontal nepostium were widely opened, 7 were stenosis and 3 were closed. Revision surgery was seen in 2 cases with IP. All of them had no complications.

CONCLUSIONSThe Draf IIb frontal sinusotomy and it's modified procedures are suitable for complex frontal sinus disease, which can be selected according to pathological and anatomical features, and have a good prospect for clinical application.