[Late sequelae of the Caldwell-Luc operation. Comparison between the classic and Feldmann osteoplastic technic]

Complaints and clinical findings with 178 classical Caldwell-Luc operations and 107 osteoplastic operations of maxillary sinus were compared in a follow-up study which took place at least 18 months postoperatively. After this time, the scarring process had reached a steady state. Unpleasant symptoms such as facial neuralgia and discomfort, were reduced to half after osteoplastic reconstruction of the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus. Postoperative closure of the antral nasal window occurred in 32.2% of the patients with the classical and in 17.3% with the osteoplastic procedure. Only 3 out of 34 replanted bone lids showed disturbed healing, as shown by 10 MHz B-Scan ultrasonic examination.