A Cadaveric Study on Anatomical Variations of the Ostiomeatal Complex

BACKGROUND complex is the final common pathway for the drainage of secretions from maxillary, frontal, anterior and middle air sinuses. Any obstruction at the ostiomeatal complex region can result in impedance to the free flow of secretions even blockage of secretions in these anteriorly draining sinuses. Obstructions can be due to distortion of normal anatomy or pathological processes. In case of a distorted anatomy, there is a high chance for the chronicity of sinus infections. complex is formed within the ethmoid bone. Ethmoid sinuses and air cells, due to their bizarre embryological are notorious for anatomical variations at the level of ostiomeatal complex. Some of these variations are thought be very significant in the persistence of sinus infections, especially when the size and degree of variation is more. A thorough of the anatomy of the lateral nasal wall and its variations would be of immense help for the endoscopic sinus to tackle the confusing situations that arise at the level of variation during surgery. AND METHODS present study was done to evaluate the different anatomical variations of the ostiomeatal complex by cadaveric dissection. cadaveric specimens of the lateral nasal wall were taken and meticulous dissection was done to find out the anatomical of the ostiomeatal complex. The study was done over a period of two years from January 2015 to December 2016 in Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Kottayam. result of the study was very much rewarding as majority of the specimens had variations of the ostiomeatal complex. It also noted that an increase in the number of anatomical variations was associated with chronic sinusitis (as indirectly by the presence of accessory maxillary ostia that arise following persistent blockage of the normal maxillary ostium). study showed a very close correlation between the number and size of the variations of the ostiomeatal complex and sinusitis (as indicated by the presence of accessory maxillary ostia in the cadavers). Thus, an early surgical correction these variations would help to prevent progression and complications of chronic sinusitis.