Outcomes of middle meatal antrostomy after different surgical strategies.

Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the postoperative outcomes between different surgical options for treating chronic maxillary sinusitis (CMS).

Objective: We aimed to compare the improvement in symptoms, and changes in endoscopic and CT grade in patients undergoing different surgical management of the maxillary sinus ostium.

Methods: In 32 patients (group A), the pathologic mucosa was radically removed with a power microdebrider. In 28 patients (group B), only part of the pathologic mucosa was removed; gross pathologic lesions were left in situ. In 38 patients (group C), only enlargement of the maxillary ostium was performed. Pre- and postoperative changes in symptoms, endoscopic polyp grade, and Lund-Mackay CT score were compared between groups.

Results: In all groups, the symptoms were significantly improved after 1 month and throughout the follow-up period. Patients in groups A and B had meaningful improvement of the endoscopic polyp grade 1 month after surgery. The endoscopic grade of patients in group C at 1 and 3 months after surgery was not significantly different from the preoperative grade; however, there was a meaningful difference after 6 months. At 12 months after surgery, all groups had a significant decrease in the CT score (p < 0.01); however, there was no difference between groups.