[Maxillary puncture: endoscopic assessment]

Frequency of the injury of the nasolacrimal duct ostium during maxillary puncture through the lower nasal passage was estimated endoscopically. Changes in the maxillary medial wall during the puncture were also studied. Anatomic features of the ostiomeatal complex which may contribute to development of chronic inflammation were determined. Forty one sinuses of 27 deceased middle-aged patients were examined within 24 hours after death. One third of patients in a random population had chronic maxillary inflammation caused by structural anomalies in the ostiomeatal complex. Half of the punctures were made with severe traumas of the nasolacrimal duct ostium. Natural anastomosis of the sinus did not function in about 20% cases. Accessory anastomosis in the posterior fontanelle was registered in 12.2% cases. The posterior fontanelle broke during sinus lavage in 3 cases. Indications for maxillary puncture in acute and chronic maxillary sinusitis should be considered much more carefully in the presence of stable alterations in the ostiomeatal complex and block of the natural anastomosis.