Peter Hwang, M.D.
Associate Professor and Director
Stanford Sinus Center Stanford, CA
Ethmoidectomy refers to the surgical drainage of the ethmoid sinus. The ethmoid sinus is a honeycomb-like structure and is located between the eyes. The goal of an ethmoidectomy is to take down the eggshell-thin bony chambers of the ethmoid "honeycomb" to create an enlarged drainage pathway for the sinus.
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Berrylin J. Ferguson, M.D. Pittsburgh, PA The ethmoids are the small sinuses between the eyes. The number of ethmoid cells range from around five to more than fifteen. Surgery that opens up the small partition between the cells so that they form one common cavity is called an ethmoidectomy.
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Todd Kingdom, M.D. Denver, CO
The term "ethmoidectomy" describes a surgical procedure during which ethmoid sinus cells are opened to treat infection or sinus obstruction that has led to chronic sinus problems. Anatomically, the ethmoid sinuses are divided into anterior and posterior regions each with a variable number of sinus cells. Typically the anterior cells are fewer in number and more consistent in their size and structure. The posterior ethmoid cells may number from 1-5 and their size and structure may be more variable. The posterior cells are also associated with several important structures; the orbit (eye), optic nerve, and the sphenoid sinus. Dependent on the extent of sinus disease, the surgeon may elect to open only the anterior cells (anterior ethmoidectomy) or may need to open all the cells (total ethmoidectomy). After opening these cells, drainage of infected mucous and removal of inflamed tissue is accomplished. Surgical treatment of the ethmoid sinus cells is one of the more common components of sinus surgery.
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Becky L McGraw-Wall, M.D. Houston, TX
With respect to endoscopic sinus surgery, an ethmoidectomy involves opening the ethmoid sinus cavity to improve drainage into the nasal airway. This is accomplished by removing the walls separating individual sinus air cells as well as any obstructing nasal polyps or abnormal sinus contents. Depending on how much sinus disease is present in the sinus, it may involve opening just the front (anterior) portion of the ethmoid, or a total ethmoidectomy, in which both the anterior and posterior portions of the sinus are cleaned out surgically. A better term for this procedure would be ethmoidotomy, because the main supporting walls of the ethmoid are not removed, but left intact.
