Medical Dictionary
Main Entry:
Cald·well–Luc operation Pronunciation:
'kold-"wel-'lük-, 'käld-, -'l[UE]k- Function:
noun : a surgical procedure usedespecially for clearing a blocked or infected maxillary sinus that involves entering the sinus through the mouth by way of an incision into the canine fossa above a canine tooth, cleaning the sinus,and creating a new and enlarged opening for drainage through the nose
Caldwell, George Walter (1866–1946), American surgeon. Caldwell was a pioneer in nasal surgery andis credited with devising a number of surgical procedures. In 1893 he described an operative procedure for the treatment of severe disorders of the maxillary sinus in which an auxiliary opening isprovided in the anterior wall through the canine fossa. His procedure became widely used in the treatment of maxillary sinus empyema. Several of his papers described diseases of the nasal sinuses. Hewas also the author of a number of books on travel and folklore and a painter who was a fixture in artistic and literary circles.
Luc /l[UE]k,/ Henri(1855–1925), French laryngologist. Luc is credited with devising several surgical procedures involving the sinuses and with developing various surgical instruments. His description of whatis now known as the Caldwell-Luc operation was published in 1889, predating Caldwell's by four years.
