[Experimental studies of wound healing in the paranasal sinuses. III. Endoscopy and histology of the surgical area after endonasal ethmoidectomy].

Twenty two patients underwent standardized endoscopic follow-up for a period 3 months after a partial or complete intranasal ethmoidectomy. 370 endoscopic photographs were taken from the healing ethmoidal wound. After precise documentation of the site of removal, 157 biopsies of the regenerating mucosa were made. The endoscopic appearance of the wound was compared with the histological structure. Endoscopy showed that the process of wound healing of the respiratory mucosa could be subdivided into 4 phases: 1. Hemorrhagic crusting lasting up to 10 days 2. Obstructive lymphatic edema lasting up to 30 days 3. Mesenchymal tissue reaction lasting up to 3 months 4. Scar formation beginning after 3 months. The subdivision of wound healing phases enables the endoscopist to recognize retardation of healing and may lead to a staging of the postoperative therapeutic regime.