[Endoscopic maxillary sinus surgery through anterior or posterior nasolacrimal duct approach]

To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of the approaches and methodology of the endoscopic surgery for maxillary sinus lesions through the medial wall of the maxillary sinus.

From Jun. 2003 to Aug. 2010, endoscopic surgery through anterior or posterior nasolacrimal duct approaches to remove maxillary sinus lesions were conducted in 139 patients. Among them there were 43 cases with inverted papilloma, 63 cases with fungal maxillary sinusitis, 28 cases with maxillary sinus cyst, 3 cases with hemorrhagic necrotic polyps, and 2 cases with osteomas. All patients underwent preoperative CT scans, and patients with inverted papillomas also had MRI tests. Anterior-nasolacrimal canal paths included 3 ways: pyriform aperture, lacrimal bone recess (dissecting nasolacrimal duct or not were 2 subtypes), pyriform aperture-nasolacrimal duct approaches, and 97 patients were treated. Posterior-nasal lacrimal duct paths were also divided into 3 subtypes: the inferior turbinate flip flap, double pedicle inferior turbinate, single pedicle inferior turbinate, and 42 patients were treated. The postoperative effects were observed.

All lesions were completely removed under endoscope, the nasolacrimal ducts and inferior turbinates were protected, no nasal lacrimal duct injury and inferior turbinate necrosis were found. Postoperative nasal congestion, headache, swelling discomfort, strange odor, dental pain and numbness and other symptoms gradually disappeared. Nine patients felt nasal dryness, and after nasal washing for about 1 month, the symptom gradually disappeared. Patients were followed up for 6 months to 79 months. In case of osteoma, and hemorrhagic and necrotic polyps, no recurrences were found. Apparent edema, hypertrophy of sinus mucosa could be seen during the surgery in all patients with fungal maxillary sinusitis, and the edema gradually disappeared after 3 months or so, with no relapse. Two cases of maxillary sinus cysts were found in other parts of the maxillary sinus 10 months and 18 months after the surgery, but the cysts were small and asymptomatic, so no further management needed, and they were still under follow-up. Three patients, recurred. In 1 case with inverted papilloma, a local lump on the opening were found 17 months after the surgery, and was removed in out-patient department and pathology showed papillary tumor recurrence, no relapse was found 1 year later; 1 patient had recurrence in anterior ethmoid sinus 15 months after operation, total ethmoidectomy was done and no relapse was found in 3 years. One patient had local recurrence in the posterolateral wall of the maxillary sinus 26 months after operation, and the secondary surgery was done via single pedicle inferior turbinate. The papilloma relapsed again after 1 year, an endoscopic Denker surgery was performed, with no recurrence after 18 months of follow-up. Three months after surgery, the maxillary sinus was scar-covered in all cases. Inferior turbinate maintained good shape, compared to those with inferior nasal meatus windowing surgery. Scars were significantly smaller, but no latch or obstruction of drainage were found.

Endoscopic maxillary sinus surgery through anterior or posterior nasolacrimal duct approach can reduce the trauma, fully expose the sinuses, and facilitate postoperative treatment and review with a window. Retained inferior nasal turbinate is helpful to avoid dryness, crusting, headache and other complications due to too much removal of nasal exteral walls.