Effects of drainage in the treatment of acute maxillary sinusitis

24 patients with maxillary sinusitis were studied with regard to the effect of therapy. 8 of the patients were treated with a single dose of antibiotics and repeated antral aspirations at close intervals. 16 other patients were treated with repeated aspirations only. In the first group, 'cure', in the sense of freedom from retained secretion, was achieved after 3-5 aspirations within 2-10 hours. In the second group, changes in the proteolytic activity and the concentrations of albumin, IgG, IgM and IgA were followed. In purulent secretions the proteolytic activity was high and the concentrations of proteins were low, whereas the proteolytic activity of the serous secretions was low and the concentrations of proteins of the same magnitude as that of the patient serum. As a result of drainage the proteolytic activity was significantly reduced and the concentrations of proteins significantly increased.