SINUS SURGERY - DOES MITOMYCIN-C REDUCE STENOSIS

This experimental study investigates the effect of mitomycin C (MMC) o n sinus mucosal healing. MMC has an antiproliferative action on fibrob lasts, It is used in glaucoma surgery to prevent restenosis of fistula s, Antrostomies were drilled in rabbit maxillary sinuses. One side was used as a control and the other treated with MMC at a concentration o f 0.04, 0.4, or 1 mg/mL, Two animals from each group were sacrificed a t 1, 2, 4, and 12 weeks. The antrostomies in the control and 0.04-mg/m L groups had closed by 1 week; in the 0.4-mg/mL group by 4 weeks, and in the 1.0-mg/mL group by 12 weeks. Ciliary function was initially imp aired but normalized within 1 week, Both light and scanning electron m icroscopy showed no permanent damage to the cilia, These results sugge st that MMC can be used to delay closure of antrostomies in sinus surg ery.