Abstract: PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and clinical significance of irrigation using indwelling epidural catheter in inferior meatus as a treatment of maxillary sinus cyst. METHODS: Forty-six cases with maxillary sinus cyst were collected and analyzed. Twenty-six were treated with cyst resection and radical maxillary antrotomy; while the remaining 20 cases received the cyst resection and irrigation using indwelling epidural catheter in inferior meatus. The surgical procedures and clinical outcomes between the 2 methods were compared using SPSS 18.0 software package. RESULTS: In patients who received radical maxillary antrotomy, the average length of hospital stay was 8.6 days after surgery and all patients showed varying degrees of complications: 4 cases with never palsies, 9 cases with pain, 2 cases with wound dehiscence, 2 cases had hemorrhage, and 18 cases had congestion. In another group, with the aid of irrigation using indwelling epidural catheter, minor postoperative complications, including 7 cases of swelling and 1 cases of pain, were found. CONCLUSIONS: Irrigation using indwelling epidural catheter in inferior meatus as a treatment of maxillary sinus cyst can reduce surgery-related trauma and decrease the frequency of postoperative complications. The average length of hospital stay is shortened, which is beneficial to postoperative recovery.

Key words: Epidural catheter, Inferior meatus, Maxillary sinus, Jaw cyst