A comparison between functional and radical sinus surgery in an experimental model of maxillary sinusitis

Purpose of the study: To compare functional and radical surgery in a maxillary sinusitis' treatment during in vivo experiments in rabbits. Methods: An experimental chronic maxillary sinusitis was induced in 21 New Zealand white rabbits by inducing mucosal trauma combined with an injection of Streptococcus pneumoniae, and a maxillary sinus ostium occlusion during 28 days. Functional surgery (FS) by reopening the natural ostium and radical surgery (RS) by reopening the natural ostium were performed in association with removal of the sinus mucosa. They were macroscopically and histologically evaluated 15 days, 1 month and 2 months after the surgery. Results: FS had diminished chronic inflammatory criteria (lymphoid and plasma cells) faster that RS ([15 days (p=0,016)]; [1 month (p=0,03)]; [2 months (p=0,03)]). Mucosa fibrosis was more important after RS ([15 days (p=0,016)]; [1 month (p=0,03)]; [2 months (p=0,016)]). Conclusion: FS accelerates healing with less fibrosis that RS in pathological mucosa altered by a chronic inflammation.