NATURAL OSTIOTOMY VS INFERIOR ANTROSTOMY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SINUSITIS - AN ANIMAL-MODEL

An animal model was used to compare the surgical treatment of chronic sinusitis by opening the natural ostium vs. inferior antrostomy. Fifte en rabbits had surgical occlusion of the natural maxillary sinus ostia to induce sinusitis. At a second operation, the sinuses were entered and in each animal the natural ostia was reopened on one side and an i nferior antrostomy was performed on the opposite sinus. Eight weeks af ter these operations the sinuses were evaluated. No differences were f ound in antrostomy patency rates, gross evidence of acute or chronic i nflammation, or light or electron microscopic findings between sinuses with natural ostiotomy and those with lower antrostomy. The gross app earances and light and electron microscopic findings are discussed.