The forgotten turbinate: The role of the superior turbinate in endoscopic sinus surgery

The fate of the middle turbinate in endoscopic sinus surgery has been a subject of debate for some rime. The superior turbinate's role, however has been largely passed over Past anatomic descriptions and illustrations have given surgeons the incorrect impression that this structure is well superior and out of the field of dissection. Injury to the superior turbinate may account for postoperative hyposmia. The superior turbinate also serves as a constant landmark for the sphenoethmoidal recess, and a limited resection allows the surgeon to identify and include the natural ostium of the sphenoid sinus in the sphenoidotomy. The embryology and anatomy of the superior turbinate are reviewed. Art approach to the natural ostium of the sphenoid sinus from the lateral side of the middle turbinate, using the superior turbinate as a guide, is described.