The authors analyze a group of 53 patients with an inverted papilloma treated in 1980 – 1995. They present basic clinical and morphological characteristics of the group. The difficulties associated in particular with assessment of the diagnosis of carcinoma in IP where in five of seven cases overestimation of the finding occurred. The finding of cellular irregulari- ties and a higher number of mitoses did not correlate with the incidence of relapses. The most important prognostic factor was radicality of treatment. Lateral rhinotomy with median maxillectomy is considered the method of choice in the majority of IP of the lateral wall. The authors' own modification of this surgical technique with preservation of the mediocaudal margin of the orbit makes it possible to perform a radical operation while providing better conditions for perfect reconstruction.

        Key words: inverted papilloma – nasal tumours – median maxillectomy