Background The inferior turbinate (IT) and nasolacrimal duct (NLD) are often sacrificed while managing the diffuse lesion of maxillary sinus (MS). We report a new approach to MS without ablation of NLD and IT. Methods This retrospective study enrolled 19 hospitalized patients (aged from 42 to 68 years) who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery between 2003 and 2008. Twelve patients had inverted papilloma (IP), two had nasal polyps, two had Kubo's postoperative cyst of MS, one had recurrent bone cyst of maxilla, one had dentigerous cyst and one had bleeding of internal maxillary artery secondary to Caldwell-Luc operation respectively. Two IP patients were excluded from this group since the follow-up time was less than 12 months. The NLD was dissected after removing the anterior bony portion of nasal lateral wall. The prelacrimal recess approach (PLRA) to MS was established when IT-NLD flap was raised medially. The flap was repositioned when MS lesion was removed. Results All the 17 patients had unilateral lesions. Ten MS IP patients were at the T3 Krouse stage. The follow-up ranged from 7 to 60 months. No recurrence was seen in 16 patients. Only one IP patient had a local recurrence in MS. All of them had no any complications. Conclusion The diffuse or severe diseases of MS may be the potential indications for PLRA.