Endoscopic sinus surgery for inflammatory maxillary sinus disease.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS The role of endoscopic sinus surgery for treating chronic maxillary sinusitis is well established. The purpose of the study is to determine the efficacy of endoscopic sinus surgery in the treatment of maxillary sinus inflammatory disease that includes mucoceles, retention cysts, and antrochoanal polyps. STUDY DESIGN This is a retrospective review of 32 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery for mucoceles (n = 21), retention cysts (n = 5), or antrochoanal polyps (n = 6). METHODS The medical records were reviewed for patient demographics, presenting symptoms, and type of operation. Surgical outcome was determined by resolution of symptoms, recurrence of disease, and need for revision or additional surgery. RESULTS Ethmoidectomy with middle meatal antrostomy was performed in all patients; 28 patients had additional middle turbinectomy. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 6 months to 4 years. The operation resulted in resolution of symptoms and a patent antrostomy on long-term follow-up in all cases of mucoceles. No case required revision surgery. On the other hand, the disease recurred in three patients (60%) with retention cysts and three patients (50%) with antrochoanal polyps despite patent antrostomies. The recurrences occurred 3 to 6 months after the surgery. The recurrent cases of antrochoanal polyps required Caldwell Luc procedures. The three failures in cases of retention cysts were successfully managed with repeated office endoscopic marsupialization through a patent antrostomy. CONCLUSIONS Endoscopic sinus surgery is an effective treatment for mucoceles, with favorable long-term outcome. Maxillary retention cysts commonly recur after endoscopic sinus surgery. However, the recurrence can be managed in the office through a patent antrostomy. Endoscopic sinus surgery may be offered as initial surgical treatment for antrochoanal polyps, but a Caldwell Luc operation may be needed for recurrent disease.