Experiences with the Osteoplastic Anterior Wall Approach to the Frontal Sinus: Case Histories and Recommendations

D uring the past two years, we have had occasion to use the anterior approach to the frontal sinus both for the obliteration of the frontal sinus and as an alternative to the Jansen-Lynch operation. The temporary reflection of the anterior bony wall of the frontal sinus with attached periosteum is not a new technique. Originally it was described by Brieger¹and Schonborn²and later modified by Winkler,³Beck,⁴Hoffman,⁵Bergara,⁶⁻⁸Tato,⁹Gibson and Walker,¹⁰and Macbeth.¹¹It has had rather slight attention paid to it in this country, however. When Beck⁴first proposed this operation, objections were presented: first, that it might be difficult to obtain good approximation of the bony flap when it was returned to its original position; second, that osteomyelitic infection of the bone would be difficult to overcome. In other words, it was not received