Rhinology, as a specialty, has evolved and changed dramatically over the past two decades.

Rhinologists have developed techniques to tackle disease in remote areas along the skull base that were, in the near past, removed using open, disfiguring procedures and which are now performed using endoscopic techniques. Despite these advances, the complex and intricate anatomy of the nose and its lateral wall continue to pose challenges in the surgical management of sinus disease, as well as handling both benign and malignant tumors of the simonasal tract.

Regardless of the technique, a thorough and deep understanding of the simonasal anatomy is a must for the rhinologist. Assisted with advances in instrumentation and image-guidance systems, the improvement in clinical outcomes and safety of patients is realized.

Endoscopic techniques have become the mainstay of management of several, clinical-disease entities in our department. They have also favored the diffusion of minimally-invasive procedures into other specialties, such as ophthalmology and neurosurgery. In addition to that, they have contributed to the development of less traumatic approaches and have allowed a potential for reduced complication, shortened hospital stay, and costs.

With an arsenal of state-of-the-art equipment at the department, ranging from fine, sophisticated, microsurgical instruments for endoscopic sinus surgery, power instrumentation, and image-guidance system (insta-treck), we are able to work in the vicinity of the orbit and skull base with increased safety.

The department has become a leader in expanding the use of endoscopic sinus surgery to treat difficult and complicated problems.

Moreover, advanced, endoscopic ENT procedures are regularly performed, including a variety of procedures. Among such procedures are the following:

• simonasal disorders
• chronic sinusitis with nasalpolyps
• combined sinusotomies with or without the aid of computer-assisted, image-guided surgery
• minimally-invasive resection of sinus tumors and nasopharyngeal tumors, whether benign or malignant
• extended, endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks along the anterior skull base, thus, avoiding craniotomy
• septorhinoplasty
• endoscopic, orbital decompression
• endoscocic, dacriocysto rhinoscopy (primary, as well as revision)
• endoscopic-assisted, transphenoidal approach to the sellar region
• endoscopic, ensonasal, transphenoidal approach to pituitary tumors
• endoscopic, endonasal ligation of sphemoplataine artery for control of profuse epistexis
• endoscopic, endonasal resection of meningeal protrusion through the cribriform plate and fovea ethmoidalis