Planning for the canine fossa trephination approach

Complete removal of polyps and thick mucus from the severely diseased maxillary sinus is key in allowing the resolution of symptoms. The canine fossa trephination (CFT) procedure is a highly effective means of clearing diseased material from all areas of the maxillary sinus and is especially useful in patients with Sampter's triad and fungal sinusitis. However, many surgeons have failed to adopt this technique for fear of its potential complications. Numerous technical refinements have been developed in recent years, significantly reducing the rate of adverse outcomes following the CFT. This article describes the steps involved in performing the CFT, with an emphasis on the avoidance of complications.