Mucociliary function following sinus mucosal regeneration.

To evaluate sinus mucosal regeneration and cilia motility after surgical removal, 15 rabbits underwent unilateral removal of maxillary sinus mucosa. The opposite sinus served as an unoperated control. After 10 weeks, specimens were taken for examination from all operated on and control sinuses. Light, dark-field, and electron microscopy were performed. Mucosa from eight of the 15 sinuses operated on showed ciliary regeneration by light microscopy; six of these exhibited motile cilia on dark-field examination. Histopathologic findings of marked fibrosis, decreased seromucinous glands, and significant inflammation were commonly present in the sinuses operated on. Electron microscopy revealed frequent abnormalities, including complex and edematous cilia and fewer than normal cilia per unit area compared to controls. The dark-field, light, and electron microscopic findings of the regenerated, post-surgical mucosa are discussed.