Main Entry: Cald·well–Luc operation

Pronunciation: \ˈkȯld-ˌwel-ˈlük-, ˈkäld-, -ˈlu̅e̅k-\

Function: noun

: a surgical procedure used especially 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 and is 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 is provided 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.

Luc \lu̅e̅k\ 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 what is now known as the Caldwell-Luc operation was published in 1889, predating Caldwell's by four years.