The Caldwell-Luc procedure in the last 16 years: A review of its clinical indications

Abstract

Introduction. Since the introduction of the endoscopic approach to the maxillary sinus, Caldwell-Luc’s classic technique has been relegated to an almost ‘memory of the past’ category. Yet, recent evidence urges to rescue this procedure in view of its usefulness in cases of failed functional endoscopic sinus surgery, especially related to an entity known as ‘irreversible mucosa changes’. Aim. To review the indications for this technique in our department, comparing our data with that from recent literature. Results. We present 56 Caldwell-Luc procedures and a literature review on the subject. The procedures were performed between 1992 and 2007 at the ENT Department of San Juan de Dios Hospital. Chronic sinusitis remained the main indication, but within scenarios that differ from those regarded in the current literature as indicative of the technique. This, along with a large symptomatic relapse rate (21.4% of patients operated between 1997 and 2007 met criteria for current chronic sinusitis), and high complications rate (31.8%) within our cases, lead us to question the indications for the procedure in our department. Conclusion. We conclude that this procedure remains in force, and is perhaps even irreplaceable, particularly in the management of chronic sinus disease with irreversible mucosa changes, an ill-defined concept, which we discuss in detail.