Indications for the Caldwell-Luc approach in the endoscopic era.
OBJECTIVE
Caldwell and Luc described the Caldwell-Luc operation more than 100 years ago as the surgical treatment for maxillary sinus disease. During the last decades less radical interventions using endoscopic approach have mainly replaced the classical procedures done for chronic and recurrent maxillary sinusitis.


METHODS
Between 1991 and 2002, 62 patients had the Caldwell-Luc approach for different indications.


RESULTS
Twenty (32%) patients had chronic sinusitis, 16 (26%) patients had inverted papilloma, 9 (15%) patients had suffered from nasal polyposis, 4 patients (6%) had dentigerous cyst, 4 (6%) patients had fungal ball, and 9 (15%) patients were operated for other indications.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of this surgical approach is rational in cases of fungal disease and in endoscopic medial maxillectomy for treating inverted papilloma. In all other cases, the preferred approach should now be endoscopic.
Barzilai
Geva
G
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. geva_b@hotmail.com
Greenberg
Elhanan
E
Uri
Nechama
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000601:surgery*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D018579:Patient Selection; D012189:Retrospective Studies