Background: Recently, modified endoscopic medial maxillectomy (MEMM) has been described as an alternative technique to open maxillectomy for benign sinonasal neoplasms. However, few reports discuss the efficacy of MEMM for treatment of inflammatory disease of the maxillary sinus. We evaluate the efficacy of MEMM in treating chronic maxillary sinusitis.
Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent MEMM for refractory inflammatory disease between December 2002 and September 2004 was performed. All patients were treated with MEMM alone or as part of an endoscopic sinus surgery procedure. Standard demographic data, operative technique, and postoperative follow-up times were collected.
Results: Nineteen patients (average age, 57 years) underwent 24 EMMs for chronic maxillary sinusitis refractory to middle meatal antrostomy. All patients failed prior sinus surgery, including 14 Caldwell-Luc procedures. Average follow-up was 19.5 months (range, 10-27 months). One patient has persistent hyperplastic sinusitis that currently requires monthly follow-up and medical treatment. Our only complication was one nasolacrimal duct injury.
Conclusion: MEMM is both a safe and an effective treatment for chronic maxillary sinusitis refractory to standard medical and endoscopic surgical management.