Nd-YAG Laser Antrostomy Using a Flexible Fiberscope for Chronic Sinusitis

Abstract

Chronic maxillary sinusitis is one of the common disease in the rhinological field. Recently, severe cases of chronic sinusitis have decreased during the past decade but cases requiring surgical treatment are still frequently encountered. Many attempts have been made to find a satisfactory operative treatment, but with limited success until now. The radical operation developed by Caldwell-Luc is generrally used for treatment of chronic sinusitis. With this method it is necessary to remove all of the pathological sinus mucosa. At the end of the operation a hole drainage is made in the inferior meatus, where the medial wall of the antrum has thick bone, but it is well known that closure of this drainage route often may occur.