Natural ostiotomy vs. inferior antrostomy in the management of sinusitis: an animal model.

An animal model was used to compare the surgical treatment of chronic sinusitis by opening the natural ostium vs. inferior antrostomy. Fifteen rabbits had surgical occlusion of the natural maxillary sinus ostia to induce sinusitis. At a second operation, the sinuses were entered and in each animal the natural ostia was reopened on one side and an inferior antrostomy was performed on the opposite sinus. Eight weeks after these operations the sinuses were evaluated. No differences were found in antrostomy patency rates, gross evidence of acute or chronic inflammation, or light or electron microscopic findings between sinuses with natural ostiotomy and those with lower antrostomy. The gross appearances and light and electron microscopic findings are discussed.