Caldwell-Luc question

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tll - 06 Jun 2005 18:38 GMT

I have read in several locations about the importance of cilia in
preventing sinus infections. A few years back I had a Caldwell-Luc
done and remember my doctor saying he took part of the sinus lining out
during this operation. I am assuming that this also means that come of
the cilia were removed also.

Does the fact that I had a Caldwell-Luc done mean that I am more likely
to get sinus infections?

My sinus infections typically start in the Maxillary sinuses. The
caldwell-Luc was done on my left had Maxillary sinus.

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Don Brady - 06 Jun 2005 19:26 GMT

>I have read in several locations about the importance of cilia in
>preventing sinus infections. A few years back I had a Caldwell-Luc
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>Does the fact that I had a Caldwell-Luc done mean that I am more likely
>to get sinus infections?

I do not know (I'm sure someone does) but just FYI that procedure has been
regarded as ineffective in most cases for many years. "Some "old-style"
practitioners still do it routinely.

I would suggest going to an experienced sinus specialist at a Major University
Medical Center.

>My sinus infections typically start in the Maxillary sinuses. The
>caldwell-Luc was done on my left had Maxillary sinus.

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Steven L. - 07 Jun 2005 02:16 GMT

>>I have read in several locations about the importance of cilia in
>>preventing sinus infections. A few years back I had a Caldwell-Luc
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> I do not know (I'm sure someone does) but just FYI that procedure has been
> regarded as ineffective in most cases for many years.

Where did you hear that?

There's two parts to the Caldwell-Luc: gaining access to the sinuses
from the cheek; and the naso-antral windows. It's the naso-antral
windows that are ineffective. But there are still cases where the
surgeon is forced to get into the sinus from the cheek (see below).

> "Some "old-style"
> practitioners still do it routinely.

Actually, some "new-style" practitioners still do it too, in cases where
FESS has failed to get at all the sinus disease, or if sinus cancer
exists (in which case you must thoroughly remove *all* the cancer). I
had infected tissue in a difficult spot in my left maxillary that my
surgeon wasn't sure he could reach via FESS. If he couldn't, then he
said he might be forced to do a Caldwell-Luc. He finally managed to do
it, though.

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Don Brady - 07 Jun 2005 02:38 GMT

>> I do not know (I'm sure someone does) but just FYI that procedure has been
>> regarded as ineffective in most cases for many years.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>windows that are ineffective. But there are still cases where the
>surgeon is forced to get into the sinus from the cheek (see below).

I know. That's exactly what I said, in fact - "in most cases". Of course
that means that there are cases where it is fully justified. I'm fullt aware
of the cancer cases and they are not typical cases.

Here's one quote among many:

"The Caldwell Luc operation used to be a popular operation for chronic
sinusitis, but with improved understanding of the importance of preserving the
mucous membrane it has fallen from favour."

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Don Brady - 07 Jun 2005 02:42 GMT

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Murray Grossan - 08 Jun 2005 01:40 GMT

On 6/6/05 6:16 PM, in article
0A6pe.280$NX4.174@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net, "Steven L."
<sdlitvin@earthlinkNOSPAM.net> wrote:

>>> I have read in several locations about the importance of cilia in
>>> preventing sinus infections. A few years back I had a Caldwell-Luc
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> said he might be forced to do a Caldwell-Luc. He finally managed to do
> it, though.

Its easy enough to get your cilia measured. You place a particle of
Saccharin in your nose and see how long it takes to taste it. Normal is 5-8
minutes. Many references to this test The Saccharin Test of Mucociliary
Clearance at www.ent-consult.com.

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Susan - 08 Jun 2005 01:54 GMT

> Its easy enough to get your cilia measured. You place a particle of
> Saccharin in your nose and see how long it takes to taste it. Normal is 5-8
> minutes. Many references to this test The Saccharin Test of Mucociliary
> Clearance at www.ent-consult.com.

Does it have to be saccharin? Can it be sucralose or eryhtritol or sugar?

Susan

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Murray Grossan - 09 Jun 2005 04:13 GMT

On 6/7/05 5:54 PM, in article 3gmtt8Fd7euiU4@individual.net, "Susan"
<nevermind@nomail.com> wrote:

> x-no-archive: yes
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Susan

The test results are standardized for saccharin.

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Steven L. - 07 Jun 2005 02:06 GMT

> I have read in several locations about the importance of cilia in
> preventing sinus infections. A few years back I had a Caldwell-Luc
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Does the fact that I had a Caldwell-Luc done mean that I am more likely
> to get sinus infections?

I don't think so. In fact, Caldwell-Luc has been used successfully as a
"last resort" when the more modern functional endoscopic sinus surgery
has failed:

http://tinyurl.com/9vt2t

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