Maxillary Antral – Sinus Washout

The maxilla or cheekbone covers the hollow spaces where our sinuses (antral) reside. Infection may drain from the sinus into your nose. This hole often gets blocked if the sinus becomes infected. Sometimes just some swelling of the lining of the nose during a cold will block the hole. Thus, a maxillary antral (also known as a sinus washout) is a healthcare procedure performed to wash out infections of the sinuses directly behind the maxilla.

Who Requires a Maxillary Antral?

The sinus in the cheekbone has a fine drain hole leading to the upper part of the nose, through which air can enter. The cheekbone is hollow and the space inside is called a sinus. This sinus is called the maxillary sinus. It is sometimes called the maxillary antrum. The maxillary sinus is connected to the inside of the nose by a very small hole. Infections in the sinus or swelling of the nose lining during a cold can block this drain, causing pain in the cheekbones, mouth, nose, or ear. Antibiotics usually control the infection and open the hole. When antibiotics or sprays do not work, a maxillary antral is required to clear out any infections in the sinus and clear the hole.

The Sinus Washout Process

After the patient is anesthetized, the healthcare provider A fine metal tube will be pushed into the nose and through the thin bone of the maxilla into the sinus. Salty water will be flushed through the tube into the sinus. This salty water drains out of the fine drain hole in the sinus and into the nose, draining out any infection, mucous, or pus in the process.

Patients are usually discharged on the same day after a typical sinus washout healthcare procedure. A regimen of antibiotics and painkillers is often prescribed. Patients are advised not to blow their nose for the first two days after this procedure and refrain from any strenuous activity during this time. If the surgeon needs to see you again and check on your progress, the nurse will give you an appointment for the ENT (ear, nose, and throat) outpatient clinic. The nurses will advise about sick notes, certificates etc.