[Discussion of different operative procedures in the management of maxillary sinusitis (author's transl)]

The Caldwell-Luc operation and its modifications lead to p.o. trouble in about one third of the cases. P.o. trouble is partly caused by the inevitable damage to sensitive nerve fibers running below the mucoperiost unprotected by bone canals. The aim of the classical procedure consists in total removal of the thickened mucoperiost. As a rule this aim cannot be achieved, granulation tissue and later scar tissue will form in the denuded cavity which leads to partial or subtotal obliteration of the lumen. Embedded in the inflamed scar tissue remains isles of left behind mucosa which may lead in about one third of the cases to microscopically and/or macroscopically traceable cysts, muco- and pyoceles with chronic irritation and focus problems. Therefore the "radical-operation" should be reserved for special indications. In milder cases partial resection of the mucosa and endonasal techniques should be preferred.