Surgical outcomes between two endoscopic approaches for maxillary cysts

OBJECTIVE: To compare recurrence rates and symptomatic relief in symptomatic maxillary sinus Retention Cysts (RCs) between Middle Meatus Antrostomy (MMA) alone and Inferior Meatus Antrostomy (IMA) with basal mucosa electrocoagulation. METHODS: Patients with symptomatic unilateral maxillary RCs were randomly allocated to MMA (n = 54) and IMA combined with mucosa electrocoagulation (n = 53) groups. Symptomatic relief, cyst recurrence, and closure of the antrostomy opening were compared at 12-months postoperatively. RESULTS: Symptomatic failure occurred in 13 (12.1%) patients, including 9 (16.7%) MMA and 4 (7.5%) IMA patients; this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.251). Postoperative cyst recurrence occurred in 16 (29.7%) and 1 (1.9%) patient in the MMA and IMA groups, respectively (p < 0.0001). Closure of the opening occurred in 7 (13.0%) and 17 (32.1%) patients in the MMA and IMA groups, respectively (p = 0.032). However, there were no significant pairwise correlations between closure of the opening and symptomatic failure or cyst recurrence. CONCLUSION: IMA combined with basal mucosa electrocoagulation and MMA alone provided similar symptomatic relief for symptomatic maxillary RCs, but IMA had shorter operation times and lower postoperative recurrence rates of RCs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1b.