Background: Inverted papillomas (IP) commonly develop in the maxillary sinus (MS). However, the MS is a complex structure, and all areas in the MS are not easily approachable.
Objective: This study reviewed our surgical outcome of patients with IPs that originated from the MS in long-term follow-up and suggests appropriate approaches according to the tumor origin.
Methods: Thirty-one patients who were diagnosed with IP that originated from the MS, underwent surgery by a single operator between 1999 and 2011, and had postoperative follow-up of >3 years were enrolled.
Results: In all the cases, the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) was attempted at first and then canine fossa puncture (CP), canine fossa opening via the Caldwell-Luc approach (CO), and Caldwell-Luc operation (CLO) were added in consecutive order as the occasion demands. Six patients (19.4%) were treated only with EEA, and they had IPs from the superior, posterior, or medial wall. Five (16.1%) were treated with EEA plus CP, which was added for removal of IPs that originated from the lateral wall. Sixteen (51.6%) were treated with EEA plus CO, which was for removal of tumors from the medial, anterior, or inferior wall. Four patients (12.5%) whose IP attached to the whole MS mucosa underwent CLO. Three (9.7%) experienced recurrences, and the mean period to recurrence was 20.7 months.
Conclusion: The overall recurrence rate was 9.7%. IPs that originated from the lateral wall of the MS can be removed by using CP. When IPs originate from the anterior, inferior, or medial wall of the MS, CO may be needed for the thorough removal of them.