Antral lavage using the Luma transilluminaton wire and vortex irrigator--a safe and effective advance in treating...

While the treatment of pediatric sinusitis can be controversial, there is evidence that performing antral lavage in combination with adenoidectomy can improve treatment outcomes. We present an "over the wire" technique using new technology that can improve accuracy and reliability when performing antral lavage.

The LUMA fiberoptic light wire (Acclarent Inc.) and Vortex sinus irrigation catheter (Acclarent Inc.) were used to perform antral lavage as an adjunct in the treatment of pediatric sinusitis.

We found this method to have multiple advantages over other techniques of lavage. These advantages include: 1) confirmation of position in the maxillary sinus by transillumination, 2) improvement of the safety and accuracy of the lavage, 3) ability to balloon dilate the natural ostium and ethmoid infundibulum or to obtain cultures at the time of lavage if clinically warranted or indicated by CT evidence, 4) avoidance of radiation from the use of fluoroscopy associated with other balloon sinuplasty equipment and techniques, and 5) no alteration of normal anatomy.

We found this technique to give the surgeon a reliable, safe, versatile, and efficacious alternative before consideration of more invasive procedures in the pediatric population with chronic sinusitis.