Bone changes after maxillary sinus surgery: an experimental scanning electron microscopy study.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to explore the pathogenic role of bone in sinus surgery, and to determine whether mucosal disease after sinus surgery may be induced by underlying disease within the bone.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Twenty-five rabbits were divided into five groups. In group one, wide surgical removal of the maxillary sinus mucosa and creation of a nasoantral window were undertaken. In group two, only nasoantral window creation was undertaken. In group three, the mucosa of the anterior maxillary sinus was removed. In group four, a strip of mucosa around the ostium was removed. Group five was used as a control.

RESULTS

After three months, in the groups which had undergone wide surgical removal, the medial sinus walls were observed to be retracted and the inner curtain of the bone disturbed, with alteration of the haversian canal system and osteoclastic bone resorption.

CONCLUSIONS

After radical sinus surgery, electron microscopic changes were observed in the bony walls, similar to those changes seen in osteomyelitis.