A balloon dilatation technique for the treatment of intramaxillary lesions using a Foley catheter in chronic maxillary sinusitis.

BACKGROUND: In chronic maxillary sinusitis, pathologic mucosas of the anterior and lateral walls of the maxillary sinus are difficult to remove. Trocar insertion to the canine fossa is the most commonly used procedure. In the present work, we report a method involving a balloon dilatation technique for treatment of intramaxillary lesions using a Foley catheter in chronic maxillary sinusitis and the outcomes of this approach. METHODS: Records of 34 patients with intramaxillary sinus lesions who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery were analyzed. After widening the natural ostium, a 10F Foley catheter was inserted through the widening ostium into the maxillary sinus. The intramaxillary lesion was removed by repeated balloon inflation and deflation of the Foley catheter. The patients were followed-up for at least 6 months after the surgery. RESULTS: There were no significant intraoperative or postoperative complications. We found that the postoperative symptoms and resolution of the lesions in comparison to classic functional endoscopic sinus surgery were not different in authors' experiences. CONCLUSION: The balloon dilatation technique using a Foley catheter is a minimally invasive and effective technique that is not associated with major complications in cases of intramaxillary lesions.