Effects of topically applied biomaterials on paranasal sinus mucosal healing

BACKGROUND: Recently, nasal packing made of absorbable biomaterial has become increasingly popular. Although absorbable packs are effective for hemostasis, their impact on healing mucosa is unknown. Some have felt that a biocompatible sinus dressing actually may enhance healing, particularly in areas where the mucosa has been stripped. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of topical MeroGel and FloSeal on paranasal sinus mucosal healing in a rabbit model. METHODS: Bilateral maxillary sinuses of 12 New Zealand white rabbits were surgically opened and stripped of mucosa. The left maxillary sinus of six rabbits had sterile saline-soaked MeroGel placed in the antrum, and the other six rabbits received FloSeal. The right maxillary sinuses of all 12 animals were stripped and otherwise untreated to serve as stripped controls. The animals were killed at 2 weeks and specimens were examined by light microscopy. RESULTS: MeroGel-treated mucosa showed extensive fibrosis of the basal lamina and lamina propria, complete loss of surface epithelium, and loss of the mucociliary blanket. There was minimal resorption of the MeroGel, and MeroGel fibers were frankly incorporated into the regenerated epithelium, associated with an exuberant lymphocytic infiltrate. FloSeal-treated mucosa showed similar fibrosis of the basal lamina and lamina propria with loss of the mucociliary blanket, although to a lesser degree than the MeroGel- treated group. FloSeal showed similar incorporation into the healed mucosa with lymphocytosis. Controls showed expected submucosal gland reduction, lamina propria fibrosis, and loss of cilia, but the lamina propria fibrosis seen in the MeroGel and FloSeal groups was markedly more prominent. CONCLUSION: In a rabbit model, MeroGel and FloSeal appear to increase reactionary fibrosis of healing mucosa. These agents also appear to be incompletely resorbed and grossly incorporated into healing tissue. Mucosal healing may be impaired by the application of these agents.     

Retinoic acid improves ciliogenesis after surgery of the maxillary sinus in rabbits

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Retinoids have been shown to be important cofactors in regulating the differentiation and proliferation of ciliated epithelial cells of the respiratory tract. In particular, retinoic acid has been shown to enhance the regeneration of paranasal sinus mucosa. The objective of this study is to use scanning electron microscopy techniques to evaluate the effect of topical retinoic acid on mucosal wound healing in a rabbit model of maxillary sinus surgery. It is hypothesized that the application of topical retinoic acid will enhance ciliogenesis and improve the morphology of regenerated cilia compared with controls. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective multi-arm controlled animal trial. METHODS: Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits underwent surgical opening of the maxillary sinuses through a midline incision. The rabbits were divided among four experimental groups: 1) mucosal stripping alone (stripped control), 2) stripping followed by topical application of an inert aqueous gel, 3) stripping followed by application of 0.01% retinoic acid in aqueous gel, and 4) no mucosal stripping and no topical treatment (nonstripped control). After 14 days, the medial wall of the maxillary sinus was harvested and examined by scanning electron microscopy at x2,000 and x5,000 magnification. The micrographs were then rated by a blinded review panel for ciliary density, orientation, and morphology. RESULTS: Mean scores for ciliary density, orientation, and morphology were all significantly higher for the retinoic acid treatment group compared with both the inert aqueous gel treatment group and the stripped control group (P=.004-.03 for all comparisons, Student's t test). Mean scores for the retinoic acid treatment group were numerically lower than the nonstripped control group but did not approach statistical significance for any parameter (P=.23-.31). CONCLUSIONS: In a rabbit model of maxillary sinus surgery, topically delivered retinoic acid enhances ciliogenesis. Qualitative assessment of ciliary density, orientation, and morphology shows improved healing in retinoic acid treated sinuses compared with both untreated control sinuses and aqueous gel treated sinuses.     

Functional recovery of rabbit maxillary sinus mucosa in two different experimental injury models

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: Ciliary wave disorder (CWD) is essential for effective mucociliary transport. The purpose of this study was to investigate morphologic and functional restoration in recovered sinus mucosa after 12 weeks of experimentally induced rhinosinusitis and regenerated sinus mucosa after mechanical injury. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study with animal models. METHODS: Ten New Zealand white rabbits weighing between 2.5 and 3 kg were used for this experiment. In the recovered mucosa group (n = 5), the natural ostium of the maxillary sinus was closed with a synthetic sponge and removed 2 weeks later. In the regenerated sinus mucosa group (n = 5), maxillary sinus mucosa was stripped off through the anterior wall. Left sinus mucosae were used as controls. Twelve weeks postoperatively, ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and CWD were measured using an image analysis system. Morphologic changes in cilia were also observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). RESULTS: The average CBFs in control, recovered, and regenerated mucosa were 13.21 +/- 3.66 Hz, 13.20 +/- 3.53 Hz, and 14.16 +/- 3.87 Hz, respectively. The average CWDs in these groups were 8.46 +/- 4.4, 21.04 +/- 14.73, and 24.43 +/- 19.2, respectively. SEM showed that loss of cilia and irregularities of ciliary arrangements were prominent in regenerated sinus mucosa. CONCLUSION: Although 12 weeks is enough for morphologic regeneration of the ciliated epithelium after experimental sinusitis in rabbit maxillary sinuses, it does not appear long enough for full functional recovery. Restoration of CBFs does not equate to concurrent CWD restoration.     

Hemostatic agent microporous polysaccharide hemospheres (MPH) does not affect healing or intact sinus mucosa

Objectives/Hypothesis: Absorbable hemostatic agents are used routinely following sinus surgery. Recent studies suggest that current biomaterials, such as FloSeal Matrix Hemostatic Sealant (Fusion Medical Technologies, Mountain View, CA) may interfere with mucosal regeneration. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Microporous Polysaccharide Hemospheres (MPH, Medafor, Inc., Minneapolis, MN), a novel rapidly‐absorbing hemostatic powder, on healing and intact sinus mucosa. Study Design: Prospective, controlled study using the rabbit model. Methods: Both maxillary sinuses of 14 New Zealand white rabbits were surgically opened. The mucosa of 10 rabbits were stripped bilaterally, and the left sinus of each was then treated with either MPH or FloSeal. The mucosa of four additional rabbits were incised but otherwise remained undisturbed. Again, the left sinus of each of the four additional rabbits was treated with either MPH or FloSeal. The right sinus served as an untreated control (stripped or intact) in both arms of the study. Animals were recovered and euthanized 2 weeks later. Specimens were examined by a blinded pathologist using light microscopy. Results: Untreated regenerated mucosa showed expected areas of sparse cilia, mild serous gland reduction, and fibrosis. MPH‐treated sinuses showed no significant changes compared to respective controls, and no MPH substance was identified. In contrast, regenerating mucosa treated with FloSeal showed extensive loss of cilia, inflammation, and fibrosis. Residual FloSeal particles were present within the sinus cavity and grossly incorporated within healing mucosa. Unexpectedly, intact mucosa exposed to FloSeal showed similar findings. Conclusions: Absorbable hemostatic materials have starkly different effects on mucosal healing. Unlike other agents, MPH is rapidly cleared and has no negative effects on healing or intact sinus mucosa.     

The effects of retinoic acid on ciliary function of regenerated sinus mucosa

BACKGROUND: Retinoic acid (RA) has been shown to enhance ciliary ultrastructure in regenerated sinus mucosa compared with controls. However, the functional status of the regenerated cilia has not been studied. Our objective was to evaluate the ciliary beat frequency (CBF) of regenerated sinus mucosa treated with topical RA in a rabbit model. METHODS: Twelve rabbits underwent bilateral surgical stripping of the maxillary sinuses, followed by treatment with RA gel in the right side and an inert gel control in the left side. The rabbits were then killed at either 2 or 4 weeks, and CBF analysis of the regenerated mucosa was performed. Three unoperated rabbits were used to establish normative CBF data. RESULTS: Functional cilia were recovered from 11/12 RA-treated sinuses and 12/12 gel control sinuses. At 2 weeks postoperatively, the RA-treated sinuses showed an average CBF of 19.78 Hz, which was statistically comparable with the normal unoperated controls (p < 0.26). The inert gel-treated mucosa showed a CBF of 29.24 Hz, which was significantly elevated compared with normals (p < 0.05). At 4 weeks, ciliary activity persisted, but both RA-treated sinuses and gel controls showed elevated CBF compared with normals (p < 0.03). CONCLUSION: Topical RA placed in a demucosalized maxillary sinus yields functional cilia. RA appears to have a normalizing effect on CBF early in the mucosal wound healing process compared with control. This effect appears to be mitigated in later stages of wound healing. RA may be beneficial in enhancing morphological and functional aspects of regenerating cilia.     

Rehabilitation of surgically traumatized paranasal sinus mucosa using retinoic acid

BACKGROUND: Paranasal sinus mucosa that regenerates after surgical stripping is characterized by sparse, dysmorphic cilia. Although such dysfunctional mucosal changes are thought to be irreversible, the potential rehabilitation of deciliated mucosa by topical therapies has not been explored. This study evaluated the effect of topical retinoic acid (RA) in rehabilitating deciliated sinus mucosa that has regenerated after surgical stripping. METHODS: Twelve New Zealand rabbits underwent bilateral maxillary sinus mucosal stripping and were allowed to remucosalize for 10 days. In the first treatment arm (n = 6), 0.01% RA was applied to the regenerated mucosa of the left maxillary sinus and an aqueous control was placed contralaterally. In the second treatment arm, the regenerated mucosa was surgically restripped bilaterally before applying RA and control. After 14 additional days, mucosa was harvested and examined by scanning electron microscopy for ciliary density, orientation, and morphology. RESULTS: In the first treatment arm, no significant differences in ciliary density, orientation, or morphology were noted between RA-treated sinuses and controls. In the second arm, RA-treated sinuses showed improved ciliary density, morphology, and orientation compared with controls. CONCLUSION: RA does not appear to significantly enhance ciliogenesis when applied after mucosal regeneration has occurred. However, if deciliated mucosa is restripped and allowed to regenerate in the presence of RA, ciliary ultrastructural features may be enhanced. RA may have therapeutic value in rehabilitating deciliated sinus mucosa when applied before mucociliary differentiation of regenerating mucosa.     

Mucociliary activity and ultrastructural abnormalities of regenerated sinus mucosa in rabbits

The purpose of this study was to observe histologic findings in the regenerated maxillary sinus mucosa and restoration of ciliary activity by measuring the speed of mucociliary transport after complete surgical removal of the maxillary sinus mucosa. The maxillary sinuses of 32 rabbits were opened anteriorly and one side of the sinus mucosa of each animal was completely removed. In 16 animals, the natural ostia were widened, and, in another 16 animals, the natural ostia were left undisturbed. The contralateral, sham-operated sinus was used as a control for each animal. The animals of each group were reanesthetized and the maxillary sinuses were reopened at planned intervals. The speed of mucociliary transport toward the maxillary ostium, determined by India ink particle movement, was reduced to 6.4 mm/min, whereas it was 10.8 mm/min in the control side. Beating cilia were observed in 16% by dark-field microscopy, in contrast to 66% in the control sinus. Pseudostratified columnar epithelia without cilia were present in 12%, with the remaining consisting of pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelia (88%). Light microscopic examination showed increase in submucosal fibrotic proliferation, decrease in submucosal glands, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Under transmission electron microscopy, abnormal cilia such as compound cilia or edematous cilia were frequently found in the regenerated specimens. These observations suggest that mucociliary clearance of the regenerated sinus mucosa may be significantly diminished compared with that of the original mucosa.     

实验性急性鼻窦炎上颌窦黏膜超微结构观察

目的:观察家兔急性鼻窦炎上颌窦黏膜超微结构的动态改变。方法:25只家兔随机分为实验组(20只)和空白对照组(5只),先建立急性鼻窦炎鼻源性模型。建模后第1、2、3、4周每周随机选取实验组家兔5只处死,解剖并从右上颌窦腔取0.3 cm×0.3 cm大小新鲜黏膜组织用透射电镜观察其超微结构。对照组在第1周开始实验。结果:透射电镜观察,对照组家兔上颌窦黏膜纤毛排列整齐,无丢失,上皮细胞内线粒体无肿胀,内质网未见扩张;实验组家兔上颌窦黏膜纤毛变性,排列紊乱,部分纤毛丢失,出现复合纤毛、胞质突起、内质扩张、线粒体肿胀及黏膜下淋巴细胞浸润伴成纤维细胞增生等病理改变,与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。实验组家兔第1～4周,复合纤毛数量逐渐增多,第3、4周与第1周比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。内质网扩张和线粒体肿胀程度在第2周最明显,第4周后逐渐减轻,第2周与第4周比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:窦口阻塞及细菌感染导致上颌窦黏膜超微结构改变,是急性鼻窦炎病理演变过程的一个重要环节。     

The Healing Effects of Autologous Mucosal Grafts in Experimentally Injured Rabbit Maxillary Sinuses

ObjectivesHealing processes of the nose and paranasal sinuses are quite complex, and poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to compare the effect of mucosal autologous grafts on the degenerated rabbit maxillary sinus mucosa with spontaneous wound healing. It is hypothesized that mucosal grafts will enhance ciliogenesis and improve the morphology of regenerated cilia.MethodsTen female New Zealand rabbits were included in the study. They underwent external maxillary sinus surgery through a transcutaneous approach. A total of 20 maxillary sinuses were randomly divided into 2 groups: ‘spontaneous healing group’ and ‘autologous graft group.’ The animals were sacrificed at the 14th day after the surgery. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and light microscope were used for the evaluation.ResultsCellular composition of the graft group is better than the spontaneous healing group. The graft group had larger areas covered with ciliary epithelium than the spontaneous healing group, and the mean length of the cilias were also longer. Additionally, there were wider cilia with abnormal morphology areas in the spontaneous healing group.ConclusionIn our opinion, covering of the denuded areas with a graft improves re-epithelization, and may prevent the early complications after sinus surgeries.     

Regeneration of nerve fibres in the maxillary sinus mucosa after experimental surgery. An immunocytochemical double-labelling study in the rabbit.

Nerve fibre regeneration in the maxillary sinus mucosa after surgery was studied in 10 New Zealand White rabbits. Four and 8 weeks following unilateral removal of the mucosa, the animals were fixed by perfusion, and the nose-sinus complexes were frozen and cut on a cryostat equipped with a tungsten-hardened knife. A double-labelling immunocytochemical procedure was developed with commercially available antibodies to protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or neuropeptide Y (NPY). The study revealed that the maxillary sinus mucosa in rabbit is reinnervated at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively. Furthermore, the regenerated lamina propria showed increased TH immunoreactivity (TH-IR) and NPY-IR, compared with the contralateral, non-operated side. Many of the fibres were seen in close proximity to newly formed vessels. These findings add further to the explanation of the altered vasoreactivity found earlier in regenerated sinus mucosa 1 month after surgery. This study also showed that demineralization of the nose-sinus complexes is not necessary if a hardened metal knife is used.     

家兔实验性上颌窦炎窦口和窦腔黏膜的不同处理对纤毛运动功能的影响

目的 :探讨家兔实验性上颌窦炎自然窦口和窦腔黏膜的不同处理对纤毛运动功能的影响。方法 :将已制成实验性上颌窦炎的 4 0只新西兰大白兔按术中黏膜处理不同以侧别分为 3组 :不处理黏膜组、部分切除黏膜组和全部切除黏膜组 ;按术中窦口处理不同分 2组 :窦口开放组和窦口扩大组。用活性碳粉末检测上颌窦黏液纤毛传输速度 (MCT) ,将测得的数据分别进行统计学处理。结果 :不处理黏膜组、部分切除黏膜组和完全切除黏膜组MCT检测结果分别为 4 .4 96± 1.0 2 1、3.892± 0 .92 5和 0 .80 9± 0 .14 7,3组间差异均有极显著性意义 (均P <0 .0 1) ;窦口扩大组 (4 .0 86± 1.0 4 2 )与窦口开放组 (3.995± 1.0 17)两组间差异无显著性意义 (P >0 .0 5 )。结论 :用活性碳检测上颌窦黏膜MCT是一种有效判断纤毛运动功能的方法 ;被切除的上颌窦黏膜术后虽会再生 ,但再生的黏膜纤毛运动功能较正常低下。窦口扩大术与窦口开放术对术后纤毛运动功能无明显影响     

Absorbable biomaterials used within paranasal sinuses: an animal study

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of mucosal regeneration in the presence of two different resorbable dressings derived from hyaluronic acid (HA): HA-carboxymethyl cellulose (HACMC) and esterified HA (HYAFF). A prospective randomized animal study was performed. METHODS: Twelve New Zealand white rabbits underwent bilateral maxillary sinusomy via a canine fossa approach. Each sinus was stripped circumferentially, except for the mucosa along the medial wall in the region of the natural ostium. Each of the 24 sinuses was then packed with either HACMC (n = 8) or HYAFF (n = 8) or left as an unpacked control (n = 8). After 14 days, each animal was killed and the sinus contents were evaluated histologically by a blinded pathologist. RESULTS: Criteria for optimal mucosal regeneration included a continuous layer of ciliated columnar epithelium with normal-appearing submucous glands and lack of both inflammatory infiltrate and fibrosis. Optimal regeneration was observed in 5/8 (62.5%) of the HACMC specimens, 1/8 (12.5%) of the HYAFF specimens, and 6/8 (75%) of the controls. The trend toward optimal regeneration using either HACMC or control was statistically significant when compared with HYAFF (p = 0.03). HYAFF specimens also were more likely to exhibit atrophic subepithelial glands in the regenerated mucosa. Polarizable foreign material was observed in 1/8 (12.5%) of the HACMC specimens and 2/8 (25%) of the HYAFF specimens. CONCLUSION: The quality of epithelial regeneration is potentially affected by the form of HA present in the healing milieu. In this series, the most optimal healing characteristics were seen in unpacked controls. Between the preparations of HA studied, HACMC exhibited more favorable healing patterns, which were nearly similar to controls.     

上颌窦成形术后与传统根治术后粘膜修复和再生的实验观察

本文报告了在犬施行上颌窦根治术和成形术５周后，窦腔粘膜重新上皮化的变化。观察发现：上颌窦成形术后粘膜纤毛系统再生比传统的柯一陆式根治术组更完全。上颌窦根治术后的再生粘膜纤毛细胞和杯状细胞明显减少，并可见部分纤维化和息肉样变。对比实验结果表明，上颌窦成形术行中鼻道窦造口代替下鼻道开窗；窦前壁环钻术代替凿开术，为术后粘膜修复与再生提供了解剖生理环境。     

家兔实验性上颌窦炎黏膜病理及超微结构变化

目的：探讨家兔实验性上颌窦炎黏膜随病程的迁延而出现的常规和超微病理变化,并根据病理变化初步估计急,慢性上颌窦炎的时间分界。方法：将制成上颌窦炎模型的30只新西兰大白兔按制模时间的长短分成不同组别,分别观察不同时间上颁窦黏膜的病理和超微结构变化。结果：制模3周内以急性炎症表现为主,3周后以慢性炎症表现为主。随病程迁延上皮层纤毛脱落增加、杯状细胞增生、鳞状上皮组织转化、上皮坏死,固有层腺体组织转化、减少、纤维化。结论：上颌窦炎黏膜的病理变化随病程延长而加重,急、慢性上颌窦炎以制模后3周为界。     

Ultrastructural ciliary changes of maxillary sinus mucosa following functional endoscopic sinus surgery: an image analysis quantitative study

This was a study of the effect of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) on the ciliary regeneration of maxillary sinus mucosa in patients with chronic maxillary sinusitis, using objective quantitative methods. Twenty specimens from the mucosa of both the superolateral wall and the ostium of the maxillary sinus were sampled during FESS and then six to 12 months later. They were light examined first by light microscopy and then by scanning electron microscopy in combination with image analysis software in order to study the cilia under higher magnification and to calculate proportion of the field that was ciliated. Samples were taken and studied at Cairo University hospital. This study showed that the maxillary sinus mucosa in chronic sinusitis is capable of regeneration and could return towards normal with the improvement of ventilation and drainage of the maxillary sinus following FESS. There were no significant changes in the degree of glandular hyperplasia, goblet cells or pathological glands after surgery.     

Safety of paranasal sinus surgery in patients with cystic fibrosis

Objective: Document the safety of paranasal sinus surgery in cystic fibrosis patients and review the changing trends in paranasal sinus surgery in the cystic fibrosis population. Study Design: Retrospective review. Materials and Methods: Chart review of cystic fibrosis patients who underwent paranasal sinus surgery from 1955 to 1997. Results: Indications for surgery included chronic sinusitis, nasal obstruction, purulent rhinorrhea, head pain, and pyocele. Average duration of anesthesia was 2.1 hours. The complication rate from general anesthesia was zero. Excessive bleeding and significant hypoxia did not occur. Conclusions: Paranasal sinus surgery and general anesthesia can be safely performed in cystic fibrosis patients. The indications for paranasal sinus surgery are changing from symptomatic nasal obstruction to pre-lung transplantation care. Today, treatment has evolved to include placement of sinus catheters for direct topical instillation of antibiotics and consideration of maxillary and frontal sinus obliteration.     

Mucociliary activity and histopathology of sinus mucosa in experimental maxillary sinusitis: A comparison of systemic administration of antibiotic and antibiotic delivery by polylactic acid polymer

To evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic delivered by polyactic acid (PLA) polymer in sinusitis, we induced maxillary sinusitis in 32 New Zealand white rabbits by occluding the sinus ostium and inoculating the sinus cavity with Streptococcus pneumoniae. The rabbits were divided into three groups consisting of group 1 (control group, 8 rabbits), which was treated only by reopening the ostium; group 2, which was treated by both reopening the ostium and injecting ampicillin intramuscularly (40 mg/kg/day in three divided doses, 12 rabbits); and group 3 (12 rabbits) in which a piece of PLA-polymer ampicillin (0.326 mg) sheet (1.5 × 1.5 cm) was placed within the sinus after re-establishing ostial patency. The light microscopic findings such as epithelial ulceration, loss of cilia, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and edema were less pronounced in group 2 and minimal in group 3. The electron microscopic findings such as swelling of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum and protruded cytoplasm were severest in the control group, followed by groups 2 and 3. The mucociliary transport speed measured at the medial wall of the maxillary sinus was highest in group 3. The results of this study suggest that treatment with PLA-polymer ampicillin may have a better efficacy in maxillary sinusitis than that with systemic administration of ampicillin.     

The effects of natural ostium and nasoantral window on mucosal regeneration after maxillary sinus surgery in rabbits

The aims of the study were to investigate the effects of natural ostium and the nasoantral window on the mucosal regeneration after maxillary sinus surgery and to detect the changes in the mucociliary clearance during regeneration process. Twenty-eight rabbits were studied. In the study group consisting of 21 rabbits, the mucosa of each right maxillary sinus was totally removed, natural ostium was occluded with bone-wax and a nasoantral window was created, while the left sinus mucosa was removed and the natural ostium was left open without creating a nasoantral window. Maxillary sinus mucosa taken during surgery was investigated by light and electron microscopy. The study group was divided into three subgroups. The first group was followed for 2, the second for 4, and the last group for 8 weeks. At the end of these periods, the mucociliary function was evaluated scintigraphically using 99mTc-Human serum albumin. Following this investigation mucosal biopsies were taken from the right and left sinuses and the rabbits were sacrificed. In the control group consisting of 7 rabbits a small hole was opened in the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus of each rabbit and the scintigraphic evaluation was performed for this group at the end of each follow up period as well. In the histopathologic investigation, no difference was found between the natural and the nasoantral window using light microscopy, but there was a difference between them in the electron microscopic findings (p < 0.05, Chi-square test). The scintigraphic, light and electron microscopic findings and gross appearances of the sinuses are discussed.     

鼻内镜术后上颌窦异常引流与黏膜炎症状态

目的观察上颌窦自然引流状态及引流的关键部位，探讨鼻内镜术后上颌窦的引流与窦腔炎症的关系，为鼻内镜手术上颌窦自然窦口的处理提供参考。方法用美蓝作为示踪剂，观察15例上颌窦无明显炎症或炎症较轻受检者上颌窦自然引流状态及引流的关键部位。另选择89例慢性鼻窦炎不伴鼻息肉患者鼻内镜术后6个月，且上颌窦黏膜恢复良好的患者，观察其上颌窦引流状态及方式，并继续随访至12个月，内镜下评估黏膜的炎症情况，分析鼻内镜术后上颌窦引流方式与黏膜炎症状态的关系。结果上颌窦自然窦口引流的关键部位在自然窦口的后下，近钩突尾端的附着处。引流物出上颌窦向后下走行，最终流向鼻咽部。传统鼻内镜手术后，引流方式相对正常者15例，占16．9％；74例（83．1％）患者上颌窦的引流状态及引流方式发生了明显改变。其中包括反向引流6例、多相引流31例、引流不能20例、“蓄水池”样改变9例以及黏膜失用8例。术后12个月33．7％的患者再次发生炎症反应，以黏膜失用炎症的发生率（100％）最高，其次是引流不能及反向引流（各占50％）。结论上颌窦自然窦口的后下近钩突尾端附着处是上颌窦引流的关键部位；鼻内镜术后，上颌窦自然引流关键部位的损伤甚至瘢痕形成，可以导致上颌窦的异常引流，过度开放上颌窦窦口，有可能加重上颌窦黏膜的损伤；上颌窦的异常引流状态及方式与黏膜炎症的发生率密切相关。     

Mucosal healing and mucociliary transport change after endoscopic sinus surgery in children with chronic maxillary sinusitis

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic maxillary sinusitis in children by investigating ultrastructure element changes in the sinus mucosa and nasal mucociliary clearance before and after operation. METHODS: Twenty-five children with chronic maxillary sinusitis scheduled to undergo functional endoscopic sinus surgery and another five controls were enrolled. A saccharin transit test was performed before and after the operation for each subject. Forty specimens of diseased maxillary sinus mucosa were classified into edematous and polypoid types, with 20 specimens in each type. The mucosal specimens were taken from the superolateral wall of each maxillary sinus during surgery and at post-operative follow-up when the mucosal recovery had begun and the symptoms had subsided. The specimens were examined with a scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: A significant increase in number of the submucosal gland openings (GO) was noted for the sinusitis group, of both edematous and polypoid types. In post-operative cases, the number of gland openings decreased, however, it remained higher than for the control group. The number of goblet cells (GC) decreased in the sinusitis cases, and significant difference was not demonstrated compared to postoperative and control groups. After endoscopic sinus surgery, the cilia in both types of antral mucosa were significantly regenerated compared to preoperative variants. Significant differences in postoperative saccharin transit time were demonstrated for both types of antral mucosa compared to the preoperative values. CONCLUSION: After endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic pediatric sinusitis, the antral mucosa recovered and mucociliary clearance improved for both types of antral mucosa, with improved ventilation and drainage demonstrated for our patients. Based on our specimens, the edematous mucosa appear to regenerate sooner than the polypoid variant, with close post-operative follow-up for more than 2 and 4 months for the edematous and polypoid types of antral mucosa, respectively, necessary to prevent sinusitis relapse.