Coblation in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Coblation in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) refers to a pathological condition where the sinonasal mucosa is
 inflamed for greater than 12 weeks(1). It is associated with a constellation of symptoms,
 including facial pain, anosmia, and nasal congestion. It has been estimated that CRS affects
 close to 5% of the Canadian population(2). When medical therapy fails, patients are often
 referred to Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgeons for consideration of surgical management.
 Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is one of the mainstays of therapy for CRS that has failed
 medical management(3). Traditionally, the microdebrider has been the go-to tool for
 performing these surgeries, but recently the Coblator (ArthroCare, Austin, Texas) has begun
 to define its' role in surgery. By using bipolar radiofrequency energy to ablate tissue (with
 temperatures up to 60˚ C)(4), theoretically the Coblator will result in less bleeding than
 so-called "cold" surgical techniques (i.e. the microdebrider). In a retrospective study by
 Eloy et. al, patients with CRS and nasal polyposis had a statistically significant amount of
 less intraoperative blood loss when the Coblator was used in their surgery, than those
 patients who underwent surgery with the microdebrider. The investigators plan to further
 investigate this in a randomized, controlled fashion
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  between 18-70 years old, and

 -  having a diagnosis of CRS.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  previous Endoscopic Sinus Surgery,

 -  coagulopathies,

 -  being pregnant, or

 -  being prescribed anti-coagulants or anti-platelet agents