Endoscopic Trans-Turbinal Medial Maxillectomy: A Modified Endoscopic Medial Maxillectomy Technique to Preserve the Inferior Turbinate

Endoscopic medial maxillectomy (EMM) and its modifications are surgical techniques are used to treat recalcitrant maxillary sinusitis as well as maxillary sinus tumors. In this report, we propose a simple and efficient modification of EMM, called endoscopic trans-turbinal medial maxillectomy (ETTMM), by which the inferior turbinate (IT), nasolacrimal duct, and anatomical integrity of the nasal valve area are preserved. A total of 10 patients (five tumorous and five nontumorous maxillary diseases) underwent ETTMM. Briefly, a turbinate mucosal flap on the superior aspect of the IT was elevated after middle meatal antrostomy. Then a trans-turbinal window was developed to expose the inferior meatus, after which an extended maxillary antrostomy was generated. Finally, the turbinate mucosal flap was repositioned after complete removal of the antral lesions. All lesions were successfully treated using ETTMM. Our modification was easy to perform, and we achieved good endoscopic visualization and accessibility throughout the whole antrum by creating a trans-turbinal window and extended maxillary antrostomy. We could perform postoperative surveillance easily through the wide antrostomy using rigid endoscopes of various angles. ETTMM is a simple and useful modification of EMM that provides clear visualization and great accessibility to most aspects of the maxillary antrum while preserving the nasal functional units, including the IT and nasal valve area.

Our Experience with Inverted Papilloma: about 61 Patients

Introduction: Inverted papilloma (IP) is the most common type of Schneiderian papilloma originating from the mucosal lining of the nose and paranasal cavities. It is a semi benign tumor with a high tendency for recurrences and malignant transformation. Management consists of a complete tumoral resection. Objective: to analyze surgical results considering the techniques (open or endoscopic surgery), the rate and time of recurrence. Method: We present herein a cohort of 61 patients treated in the CHU-UCL Godinne between 1998 and 2019. We analyzed the demographic data, the origin of the tumor, the staging, the surgical approach and the outcomes. The patients were classified into two groups: the first one includes 48 patients operated de novo in CHU-UCL Godinne and the second group 13 patients referred to us for revision surgery. Results: We observed 8 recurrences, all groups confounded. The global success rate was 87%. The number of recurrences in the first group was 6 out of 48 and 2 out of 13 in the second group. Following these results we propose an algorithm of treatment depending on the site of attachment of the IP. Conclusion: We confirmed that more extended surgeries such as Caldwell Luc procedure, medial maxillectomy, Draf IIb/III frontal sinusotomy or type III sphenoidotomy give better outcomes than more “limited” and functional surgeries such as Draf I/IIa frontal sinusotomy or middle antrostomy. The latter should be done only for specific and limited extension of the IP in the maxillary sinus. A subperiosteal dissection is mandatory in all cases. Keywords: inverted papilloma; retrospective study; surgery; recurrence

Extended Anterior Inferior Approach to Endoscopic Medial Maxillectomy for Maxillary Sinus Lesions

Background Myriad open and endoscopic approaches are employed to resect maxillary sinus lesions, each with associated advantages and disadvantages. The inferior and anterior portion of the sinus remains a challenging space to access. Objectives To describe the extended anterior inferior approach to endoscopic medial maxillectomy (EAMM) as a novel and valuable addition to a stepwise approach for minimizing surgical morbidity without compromising tumor outcomes. To report the outcomes of patients treated with this approach. Methods A retrospective case series study of 9 patients who underwent EAMM between 2016 and 2019 at a tertiary care referral center was performed. The endoscopic technique is described. The duration of follow-up ranged from 1 to 53 months. Intraoperative steps, including transection of the nasolacrimal duct and execution of an intraoperative dacryocystorhinostomy, were reviewed. Postoperative outcomes, including patient symptoms at follow-up and tumor recurrence, were recorded. Results Adequate exposure with gross total tumor resection or margin-negative tumor resection was achieved in all cases. Sparing of the nasolacrimal duct was achieved in 2 patients. No patients reported persistent epiphora, empty nose syndrome, or changes in cosmesis such as alar or nasal tip collapse. One patient reported unilateral V2 hypoesthesia at 6 months postoperatively that had resolved by his next follow-up 18 months after surgery. Postoperative tumor surveillance was achieved by endoscopic examinations in all patients and there was no evidence of tumor recurrence at a median follow-up of 22 months. Conclusions The EAMM provides improved access to the inferior–posterior–medial maxillary sinus. This approach minimizes the risk of hypoesthesia and change in cosmesis present in other approaches, and obviates division of the nasolacrimal duct for inferior, posterior–medial attached lesions. This progressive escalation of approach for maxillary sinus lesions minimizes injury to nasal and nasolacrimal structures without compromising tumor outcomes.

Computational fluid dynamic modelling of maxillary sinus irrigation after maxillary antrostomy and modified endoscopic medial maxillectomy

Objective For recalcitrant chronic maxillary sinusitis, modified endoscopic medial maxillectomy has been shown to be clinically beneficial after failed maxillary antrostomy as endoscopic medial maxillectomy may offer improved topical therapy delivery. This study compared irrigation patterns after maxillary antrostomy versus endoscopic medial maxillectomy, using computational fluid dynamic modelling. Case report A 54-year-old female with left chronic maxillary sinusitis underwent maxillary antrostomy, followed by endoscopic medial maxillectomy. Computational fluid dynamic models were created after each surgery and used to simulate irrigations. Results After maxillary antrostomy, irrigation penetrated the maxillary sinus at 0.5 seconds, initially contacting the posterior wall. The maxillary sinus was half-filled at 2 seconds, and completely filled at 4 seconds. After endoscopic medial maxillectomy, irrigation penetrated the maxillary sinus at 0.5 seconds and immediately contacted all maxillary sinus walls. The maxillary sinus was completely filled by 2 seconds. Conclusion Computational fluid dynamic modelling demonstrated that endoscopic medial maxillectomy allowed faster, more forceful irrigation to all maxillary sinus walls compared with maxillary antrostomy.

Case report of a female child with right nasal chondromyxoid fibroma

Chondromyxoid fibroma; a rarely found tumor, contributing <1% of all primary bone neoplasm. We reported a 4-year female child with a 1-year history of nasal obstruction and facial swelling. Large enhanced lesion with amorphous densities spreading into the right cribriform plate and floor of sphenoid sinus, laterallyinto right lamina papyracea, inferolaterally into medial wall of maxillary sinus, posteriorly into nasopharynx and superior aspect of oropharynx was appreciated in CT scan. Mass was excised by Caldwell Luc’s endoscopic medial maxillectomy via the sublabial approach. CMF was confirmed histologically in post-operative biopsy. Keywords: Chondromyxoid fibroma, benign neoplasm, lamina paprycea. Continuous...

Assessment of Lacrimal Duct Patency in Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Medial Maxillectomy

Purpose: The risk of epiphora after medial maxillectomy with lacrimal duct transection is difficult to assess. The data available in the literature are inconclusive due to various operating techniques used by the authors of medical publications, different additional procedures aimed at improving tear drainage after maxillectomy, and a variety of lacrimal duct patency assessment techniques. The aim of our work was to assess the anatomical and functional patency of lacrimal ducts after medial maxillectomy without performing additional procedures to improve tear drainage as well as comparison of the results obtained with different assessment tests. Materials and methods: 21 patients who underwent medial maxillectomy in the years 2016–2019 were assessed for discomfort and epiphora based on patients’ own reports and basic clinical examination, lacrimal duct rinse test, the Munk score, and a modified endoscopic Jones I test. Results: Gradually increasing the sensitivity of the assessment method resulted in an increase in the number of patients with potential tear drainage disorders, starting from 0% in the rinsing test, 4.8% self-reported tearing complaints, 14.3% Munk score, and 19% modified endoscopic Jones I test. Conclusions: The study results revealed that a small fraction of patients tend to report epiphora as a consequence of medial maxillectomy themselves. Subtle functional disorders, which are not particularly bothersome to patients, are more common. More sensitive lacrimal duct patency tests reveal more cases of tear drainage disorders. The results of studies assessing the incidence of epiphora after medial maxillectomy appear to depend on the type of test used.