Quality of Life and Morbidity after Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgeries Using the Sinonasal Outcomes Test (SNOT): A Tertiary Hospital Experience

Abstract

Introduction. Endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery (EESBS) has been associated with a minimally invasive and effective approach for pathology of the anterior skull base and associated with less overall morbidity compared with open approaches. However, it is associated with its own potential morbidity related to surgical manipulation or resection of normal and noninflamed intranasal structures to gain adequate access. The assessment of sinonasal QOL (quality of life) postsurgery is therefore a vital aspect in follow-up of these patients. Objectives. To assess quality of life and morbidity after endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery using the Sinonasal Outcomes Test (SNOT-22). Methodology. A single-center retrospective cross-sectional review with a sample of 80–100 patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery was conducted at the ENT and Neurosurgery departments of King Fahad Specialist Hospital-Dammam (KFSH-D) for a period of 10 years from March 2010 to March 2020. Data were collected through hospital records and database, as well as from patients through phone call interviews. Records were reviewed for diagnosis, demographic features, and 22-item Sinonasal Outcomes Test (SNOT-22) scores noted at three points in time: prior to procedure and after, at 3 months and 6 months. Results. Within the study cohort comprising 96 patients, the mean age of the participants was 39.5 ± 12.1 years, and diagnostic typing before and after histopathological investigations revealed maximum pituitary adenomas (46.9%) closely followed by CSF-related ailments (41.7%). The changes in the mean and standard deviation of the total SNOT-22 scores postoperatively at the 3rd month (9.5 ± 5.4) and the 6th month (8.8 ± 5.2) were statistically significant ( $p<0.001$ ) when compared to the preoperative score (10.8 ± 5.1). Conclusion. Although there was a predicted passivity of symptoms in the post-EESBS period, several significant positive outcomes were seen. The increase in discomfort in the sleep domains postsurgery is an issue to pursue and reason out. The overall SNOT-22 scores noted preoperatively and 3 and 6 months postoperatively showed statistically significant improvements in QOL with no long-term effects.