Caldwell-Luc Procedure Definition The Caldwell-Luc procedure, also known as a radical antrostomy, is a surgical procedure generally a done for

the treatment by the of chronic maxillary sinusitis, condition characterized obstruction

and inflammation of the maxillary sinuses. It is also sometimes performed to obtain a tissue for biopsy of a tumor located in the area below the eyes. The maxillary sinuses are hollow air spaces located on both sides of the nose, just beneath the cheeks. Causes of maxillary sinusitis include allergies, nasal polyps and direct trauma to the face, among many others. Symptoms include fever, clogged nose, facial pain, runny rose and sometimes a toothache. It is used by oral and maxillofacial surgeons as an approach to the maxillary sinus for removal of roots of tooth or antral foreign bodies; the otolaryngologists to treat chronic maxillary sinusitis and head and neck surgeons in their surgical armamentarium for pterygomaxillary space surgery or decompression of Graves ophthalmopathy. Otolaryngologists are the medical experts performing the CaldwellLuc procedure. They are doctors specializing in the treatment and management of patients with disorders related to the ears, nose and throat. The Caldwell-Luc procedure is often done on patients with frequent maxillary sinusitis that does not resolve with other treatments. Patients are usually placed under general anesthesia. A small incision is then made between the gum and the upper lip, and a small portion of the maxillary bone is usually removed. The sinus opening leading to the nose is often made larger. This usually results in improved drainage of natural secretions. This procedure involves making a temporary opening into the maxillary sinus and re-establishing an opening into the sinus from the nose if necessary. This procedure is done for several reason: to remove abnormal tissue growths, to treat infection, or to assist in repair of an injury to the eye

socket. This operation should reduce the number of infections or make them easier to treat. Ideally, the lining of the sinus will return to a more normal thickness. If the operation is done to repair a fracture, the bones should heal in a more normal position. Some side effects may arise after the procedure. The most common is swelling of the face, which resolves after a few days. Other side effects are bruises on the neck, numbness of the upper lip and cheeks, pain while eating or chewing, facial pain and sometimes teeth discoloration. There are usually no visible scars after the operation, as the incision is made under the upper lip. A patient may go home after a few days in the hospital. He/She is usually given take-home instructions to fight off and medications, relieve such pain, as antibiotics and painkillers, infection and

respectively. A follow-up visit to his physician is also scheduled, usually after a week to monitor the healing process. The Caldwell-Luc procedure was coined after Dr. Henry Luc, a French laryngologist, and Dr. George Caldwell, an American physician. It was a common procedure before the advent of newer technology, like the endoscope a flexible tube equipped with a camera which helps surgeons look inside the body. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FES) has largely replaced the Caldwell-Luc procedure in treating chronic maxillary sinusitis. This is because FES is less invasive and has fewer side effects.