Nasal Surgery in Children with Cystic Fibrosis: Complications and Risk Management

Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) are predisposed to pansinusitis and nasal polyposis and, therefore, require frequent surgery by otolaryngologists. These children are at risk to have complications following surgery, both locally, at the surgical site, as well as systemically from their underlying pulmonary disease. A 20-year retrospective study of children (average census 219 per year) revealed 39 children developed nasal polyps and these children required 85 nasal polypectomies. No major complications occurred and only three minor complications (fever, minor bleeding) were noted. Over 95% of our CF children were able to return home in less than 48 hours, and extensive hospital stays appeared not to be required.