Comparison of conventional and extended middle meatal antrostomy for the treatment of antrochoanal polyps

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare the recurrence rate and complications between endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy (MMA) and extended MMA for the treatment of antrochoanal polyps (ACPs). METHODS AND MATERIALS: 95 ACPs were prospectively enrolled to undergo MMA (n = 48) or extended MMA (n = 47). The recurrence rate and complications were compared between these groups. RESULTS: All patients completed 24 months of follow-up. The recurrence of ACP was demonstrated by only endoscope at 6 and 12 months postoperatively but at 24 months postoperatively by endoscope and CT. Rates of recurrence of ACP differed between groups and significance at postoperative month 6 (7/48 patients in the MMA group and 0/47 patients in the extended MMA group, P = 0.02), month 12 (16/48 vs. 2/47, P < 0.01) and month 24 (21/48 vs. 3/47, P < 0.01). No MMA closure was found in any group, 19.15% (9/47) patients complained of cheek numbness in the extended MMA group, however, no major complications were observed in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Extended MMA via antidromic extended medial wall of MS may effectively reduce the recurrence of ACP with lower complications.