title: Changes in the maxillary sinus volume and the surgical outcome after the canine fossa puncture approach in pediatric patients with an antrochoanal polyp: results of a minimum 3-year follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An antrochoanal polyp (ACP) originates from the maxillary antrum and simple excision results in high recurrence rates. Canine fossa puncture (CFP) has been proposed as an alternative method of accessing the entire maxillary antrum. To investigate the long-term effects of the CFP approach on changes in the maxillary sinus volume in pediatric patients with an ACP, we compared the sinus volume on the operated and normal sides, using preoperative computed tomography (CT), and postoperative CT performed at least 3 years after the procedure. The surgical outcomes were also assessed using endoscopic and CT findings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven patients met the inclusion criteria and the ACP was removed via the CFP approach. After a mean follow-up period of 43.9 months, we compared the changes in the maxillary sinus volume between the operated and normal sides, using the pre- and postoperative CT data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No contractures or decrease in the maxillary sinus volume on the diseased side were observed in any of the patients on postoperative CT, and the average volume of both maxillary sinuses was greater on postoperative CT compared with the preoperative scans. None of the patients showed evidence of recurrence on the endoscopic and CT examinations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CFP did not affect the maxillary sinus volume in pediatric patients with an ACP and led to a successful surgical outcome in all of the patients. Based on these results, we recommend CFP as a safe, effective method for the treatment of ACP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, South Korea. jyent@schbc.ac.kr
authors.forename: Jae Yong
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Byoung Joon
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.forename: Dong Wook
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jang Yul
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Byun
authors.forename: Seung Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyun Sook
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D004285:Dogs; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery*; D015508:Nasal Obstruction; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome