Antrochoanal polyps(ACPs) are generally recognized to represent approximately one-third of all nasal polyps in the pediatric population and they have distinctive characteristics from the ordinary nasal polyps in the pathogenesis and clinical
behavior.
The surgical modalities for the treatment of pediatric ACPs warrant special consideration because simple avulsion is usually followed by recurrence and radical operation such as Calwell-Luc's operation may influence facial growth and dental
structures.
To study the clinical features of ACP and to evaluate the outcome of various surgical modalities, seventy four cases with ACPs who underwent surgery at Asan Medical Center, between 1989 and 1994, were reviewed. About two-thirds of cases were
pediatric
patients(median age : 12Y) and all of ACPs except three bilateral cases developed unilaterally. The floor of the maxillary sinus was the most frequent site of origin and followed by lateral wall, medial wall, and roof in the order. The antral
part,
mostly cystic, and choanal part, invariably polypoid in nature, showed different gross and microscopic features. The antral part extended toward the choana through either the natural ostia or accessory ostia if present.
Osteoplastic maxillary sinus operation(OMSO) was superior to simple polypectomy or endoscopic removal in the aspect of recurrence of ACPs and no significant complications developed during the follow-up period though longer period of follow0up is
needed
to evaluate the long-term effect of the operation on the growth of maxilla. The surgical techniques of OMSO and clinical features of ACPs are described in detail with review of literatures.
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