Surgical Result of Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy according to Opening Size of Nasal Mucosa

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study investigated the surgical results and nasal findings of an endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy according to differences in nasal mucosal and lacrimal bone opening size. METHODS: This investigation included 40 eyes of 35 patients who had undergone endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy by nasolacrimal duct obstruction between February 2003 and December 2004. Comparisons of nasal mucosal opening with lacrimal bone opening were performed using of digital images recorded during the operations. Opening size was defined as the definite to average length of the long and short axes of each opening. Success rates were evaluated by postoperative subjective symptoms and syringing findings. Postoperative nasal cavity findings were obtained by endonasal evaluation. The results were verified by the Pearson chi-square test. RESULTS: The success rate was higher in the group with a nasal mucosal opening size at least twice as wide as their lacrimal bone opening size (84.62%) compared to the group with a nasal mucosal opening sizes less than twice as wide as their lacrimal bone opening size (78.57%), but the difference was not significant (p=0.78). Granulation tissues were observed at a significantly lower rate in the group with nasal mucosal opening sizes at least twice as wide as their lacrimal bone opening size. CONCLUSIONS: Large resection of nasal mucosa in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy can improve the result by decreasing the granulation formation.