Extended Anterior Inferior Approach to Endoscopic Medial Maxillectomy for Maxillary Sinus Lesions

Background: Myriad open and endoscopic approaches are employed to resect maxillary sinus lesions, each with associated advantages and disadvantages. The inferior and anterior portion of the sinus remains a challenging space to access. Objectives: To describe the extended anterior inferior approach to endoscopic medial maxillectomy (EAMM) as a novel and valuable addition to a stepwise approach for minimizing surgical morbidity without compromising tumor outcomes. To report the outcomes of patients treated with this approach. Methods: A retrospective case series study of 9 patients who underwent EAMM between 2016 and 2019 at a tertiary care referral center was performed. The endoscopic technique is described. The duration of follow-up ranged from 1 to 53 months. Intraoperative steps, including transection of the nasolacrimal duct and execution of an intraoperative dacryocystorhinostomy, were reviewed. Postoperative outcomes, including patient symptoms at follow-up and tumor recurrence, were recorded. Results: Adequate exposure with gross total tumor resection or margin-negative tumor resection was achieved in all cases. Sparing of the nasolacrimal duct was achieved in 2 patients. No patients reported persistent epiphora, empty nose syndrome, or changes in cosmesis such as alar or nasal tip collapse. One patient reported unilateral V2 hypoesthesia at 6 months postoperatively that had resolved by his next follow-up 18 months after surgery. Postoperative tumor surveillance was achieved by endoscopic examinations in all patients and there was no evidence of tumor recurrence at a median follow-up of 22 months. Conclusions: The EAMM provides improved access to the inferior-posterior-medial maxillary sinus. This approach minimizes the risk of hypoesthesia and change in cosmesis present in other approaches, and obviates division of the nasolacrimal duct for inferior, posterior-medial attached lesions. This progressive escalation of approach for maxillary sinus lesions minimizes injury to nasal and nasolacrimal structures without compromising tumor outcomes.