Indications for the Caldwell-Luc approach in the endoscopic era.

OBJECTIVE: Caldwell and Luc described the Caldwell-Luc operation more than 100 years ago as the surgical treatment for maxillary sinus disease. During the last decades less radical interventions using endoscopic approach have mainly replaced the classical procedures done for chronic and recurrent maxillary sinusitis. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Between 1991 and 2002, 62 patients had the Caldwell-Luc approach for different indications. RESULTS: Twenty (32%) patients had chronic sinusitis, 16 (26%) patients had inverted papilloma, 9 (15%) patients had suffered from nasal polyposis, 4 patients (6%) had dentigerous cyst, 4 (6%) patients had fungal ball, and 9 (15%) patients were operated for other indications. CONCLUSIONS: The use of this surgical approach is rational in cases of fungal disease and in endoscopic medial maxillectomy for treating inverted papilloma. In all other cases, the preferred approach should now be endoscopic.