The foramen and infraorbital nerve relating to the surgery for external access to the maxillary sinus (CALDWELL-LUC)

Introduction: The infraorbital nerve and foramen are bilateral structures, located below the lower edge of orbit (1,2,5,9,10,11,12), and are important surgical parameters for external access to the maxillary sinus (CaldwellLuc), representing its upper limit (4, 13). Objective: Establishing a safe average distance between the first premolar tooth alveolus top up to the foramen and infraorbital nerve, during the CaldwellLuc surgery. Method: We have analyzed 32 formolized heads of Brazilian adult corpses, without distinction of age, sex and race, within the period of February through July 2004. Surgical approach was made by CaldwellLuc passage, up to the complete exposure of infraorbital nerve and foramen where we delineated an imaginary line from the top of the first premolar tooth alveolus up to the foramen, and measured by using a pachymeter. Results: The general average distance between the structures mentioned was of 3.34cm with standard deviation of 0.52cm. The greater distance found was of 4,5 cm and the minor was of 2.5 cm bilaterally. Conclusion: When we know this region safe distance surgical access, we find less damage to the innervation that causes less intense subjective and less persistent symptoms in the post-operative period