Recirculation of mucus as a cause of persistent sinusitis.

Recirculation of mucus between adjacent openings into the maxillary antrum is a relatively common cause of persistent sinusitis in either the pre- or postsurgical patient. It is particularly common after FESS when the new middle meatal antrostomy has been sited too far posteriorly behind an existing natural maxillary ostium. The condition is easily diagnosed with the nasal endoscope and the surgical remedy of joining the separate openings into one larger antrostomy is readily carried out under local anesthesia in the rhinologist's office.