Summary: Based of a review of literature and the authors’ own group of patients, present indication criteria for surgical approach via anterior wall into maxillary cavity according to Caldwell-Luc are postulated. The external approach into maxillary cavity via the anterior wall is generally indicated for three reasons: in the surgical treatment of maxillary cavity diseases, in treated fractures of middle face floor and the operation approach via maxillary cavity into the surroundings, such as decompression of orbit in endocrine orbitopathy. The operation according to Caldwell-Luc is a safe intervention even at the time of endonasal surgery and serves for treatment of selected diseases of maxillary cavity. There is no doubt that this kind of operation should remain in the repertoire of the otolaryngologist’s surgical interventions.

        Key words: maxillary cavity, Caldwell-Luc, endonasal surgery, maxillary sinusitis, maxillary cavity cyst, aspergilloma, papilloma, antrochoanal polyp.