The early history and development of endoscopic sinonasal surgery in Australia: 1985–2005

The introduction of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) into the English-speaking world in 1985/86 revolutionized the surgical management and treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions of the nose and sinuses. It was Walter Messerklinger from the Styria city of Graz in Austria who performed much of the basic research that underpinned this surgery and his Department associate, Heinz Stammberger, amongst others who did much to teach and champion this new technique to the world. This paper traces the early development of endoscopic sinus surgery in Australia and its evolvement from the treatment of inflammatory sinus conditions to the management of other head and neck, and intracranial pathologies.