Sinonasal gas exchange is facilitated by the unique anatomy and topography of the sinonasal interface that represents a collection of airfoils creating an aerodynamic structure. The airflow during respiration generates positive and negative pressures that power the gas exchange between the sinuses and the nose. Major surgical alteration of the interface reduces the rate and velocity of the exchange. Minimally invasive procedures aimed at preserving the natural anatomy, topography and aerodynamic configuration of the interface will have negligible effects on sinonasal gas exchange.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Control:

  • normal healthy adult volunteers ages 18-65,

• without allergies by history and allergy test,

• non-smoker,

• not using steroids. Study group 1: adult subjects who had maxillary sinus balloon sinuplasty (with intact uncinate and ethmoid complex) Study group 2: adult subjects who had endoscopic maxillary antrostomy and uncinectomy.

Exclusion criteria:

• active acute or chronic infection,
• nasal polyps,
• severe nasal or septal deformity,
• cystic fibrosis,
• systemic illness (diabetes, hypertension etc.),
• vulnerable population (children, pregnant women, institutionalized individuals etc.)
• severe nasal and/or septal deviation,
• hypersensitivity or intolerance to study medications (topical and local anesthetics) any turbinate surgery.

Adult patients who had balloon sinuplasty of traditional endoscopic uncinectomy for treatment of chronic maxillary sinusitis