[Surgical anatomy of the maxillary sinus].

[BACKGROUND] Improved understanding of the microanatomy of the paranasal sinuses, including its individual variations, makes a substantial contribution to current progress in endonasal endoscopic microsurgery. Microanatomy of the sinuses is an active field of present scientific investitations.

[MATERIALS AND METHODS] A comprehensive review on microanatomy of the maxillary sinus is presented from the perspective of contemporary endonasal endoscopic microsurgery.

[RESULTS] The range of variation of the individual microanatomy of all sections of the maxillary sinus is presented, in particular to minimize secondary sugical tissue trauma, to avoid complications (e.g. on orbital tissues) and as a basis for the prelacrimal access to the maxillary sinus.

[CONCLUSION] Improved understanding of the range of microanatomical variations reduced the burden on the patient while opimizing the effectiveness of the necessary surgical manipulations.