BACKGROUND Uncinectomy can be performed using various methods. The aim of the present study was to compare the results and complications of uncinectomy and middle meatus antrostomy using the standard and swing door techniques during functional endoscopic sinus surgery. METHODS In a prospective controlled study, 60 patients (aged 18-50 years) suffering from chronic maxillary sinusitis underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery from January 2007 to December 2008 at a tertiary care centre. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of 30: Group A underwent uncinectomy using the standard technique, while Group B underwent uncinectomy using the swing door technique. RESULTS Group B showed more improvement in symptoms, with a mean visual analogue scale score of 80.58 ± 14.34 compared to 78.50 ± 16.63 in Group A. Both groups had no major complications. At the end of Week 2, minor complications were observed in 8 (26.7%) of the patients from Group A and 2 (6.7%) from Group B. By the sixth week, the minor complication rate was 1 (3.3%) and 0 (0%) in Group A and Group B, respectively. When compared statistically during the second week using chi-square test, the difference in the minor complication rate was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05, χ2 = 4.81), with lower incidence of complications in Group B. CONCLUSIONS The swing door technique for uncinectomy produces good postoperative results, with fewer complications, as compared to the standard technique.