THE EFFECTS OF SINUS SURGERY ON MIDFACIAL GROWTH IN THE RABBIT

The effects of pediatric sinus surgery on craniofacial growth have not been established This study was designed to determine whether sinus s urgery influences midfacial growth in New Zealand white rabbits. Surge ry was performed on five groups of six rabbits each: Group 1-bilateral external dorsal approach to the maxillary sinus with enlargement of t he sinus ostium and removal of the uncinate process; Group 2-bilateral external dorsal approach to the maxillary sinus; Group 3-unilateral e xternal dorsal approach to the maxillary sinus with enlargement of the sinus ostium and removal of the uncinate process; Group 4-unilateral external dorsal approach to the maxillary sinus; Group 5-no operation. Rabbits were killed as adults, and dried skull measurements were perf ormed using a Polhemus 3-space digitizer. Statistically significant re gional restriction of midfacial growth was demonstrable when comparing Groups 1-4 with Group 5, and between sides in Groups 3-4. Enlargement of the sinus ostium and uncinectomy caused foreshortening of the snou t on the operated side in Group 3. This effect was not observed follow ing the approach alone in Group 4. These results suggest that midfacia l growth is affected by sinus surgery in rabbits. Further animal studi es should be done to test this hypothesis, and in the interim, a conse rvative approach to sinus surgery in children would be prudent.