The aspiration-irrigation maneuver

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To compare cultures obtained from the aspiration-irrigation maneuver (AIM) with other reports and compare diagnostic and therapeutic value after AIM versus the Proetz maneuver and needle aspiration-irrigation. STUDY DESIGN: Patients with radiographic evidence (mucous membrane thickness greater than 6 mm, air-fluid levels, or complete opacification) and symptoms (nocturnal cough, fever, postnasal drainage PND], otitis, mucopurulent discharge from the nose) of sinus disease who were referred from pediatrician and/or family physician and who otherwise would be candidates for surgery were selected to receive treatment with AIM. The study was divided into three separate groups (54 patients who were age 8 years and younger, 54 patients who were age 9 years and older, and 32 adult patients who were treated with both needle aspiration and AIM. METHODS: Using Bernoulli's principle and the Venturi effect, saline and a vacuum apparatus were used to capture the contents of the sinuses for culture, and results were compared with results of needle aspirate cultures. RESULTS: Children's cultures from group 1 compared favorably with the literature (Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae or a combination of these); cultures in patients age 9 years and older revealed a greater variety of bacteria, depending on chronicity of infection, and a high incidence of Staphylococcus aureus (beta-lactamase positive). There was a 66% correlation of AIM with needle aspiration. CONCLUSIONS: AIM was found to be a safe, simple, painless, and inexpensive adjunct to the diagnosis and treatment of sinus disease.