A safe way to find the posterior ethmoidal cells: navigation with cottonoid

Abstract BACKGROUND. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is a reliable option in the treatment of sinus pathology, but the presence of the anatomical variant and difficult cases like massive polyposis or revision FESS can generate some problems to surgeons. MATERIAL AND METHODS. After performing an unciformectomy, a partial anterior ethmoidectomy and maxillary ostium antrostomy, we slide a cottonoid back to the basal lamella of the middle turbinate with a Cottle dissector and introduce it in the superior meatus. After that, we return to the middle meatus and proceed to open the basal lamella finding the cottonoid placed there previously. RESULTS. An easy technique, safe and reproducible, that allows us to advance in our dissection, avoiding damaging important structures. CONCLUSION. In this paper we present a safe way to approach the posterior ethmoidal cells complex in the classic way through the basal lamella of the middle turbinate, under the guidance of a cottonoid, a safe and easy maneuver to do this procedure in the beginning of our formation or in complex cases.