Fundamental considerations of the design and function of intranasal antrostomies.

The natural history of intranasal antrostomy is poorly understood despite the popularity of the procedure. Researches have been conducted to examine this and in particular to establish factors which might be responsible for closure. A complete appraisal of the anatomy of the inferior meatus has been undertaken to determine factors which limit the dimensions of an antrostomy. Retrospective and prospective studies have been performed on patients undergoing the operation to assess patency and size. The results of these studies demonstrate that initial size is important in determining long-term patency in adults, and if an antrostomy is open at one year it usually remains open in the long-term unless infection supervenes; in children, however, antrostomies appear to close more rapidly.