title: Surgical treatment of obstruction of the nasolacrimal ducts in patients with anatomical endonasal variants.
abstract: The presence of anatomical endonasal variants (concha bullosa, nasal septal deviation, or hypertrophic turbinates) may cause more complications in patients with epiphora who have external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). The purpose of this study was to assess the results of surgical placement of a stent in 28 patients. They were randomised into two groups and had either DCR or placement of a Song's polyurethane stent. They were followed up for 18 months. Twenty-six patients had a good result. The success rate was 13/14 for those who had DCR and 13/14 for those who had a stent. Operating time was significantly less for placing a stent (mean (SD) 15 (2) minutes) compared with 40 (3) minutes for DCR (p <0.01). Placement of a polyurethane stent is an effective and short procedure for nasolacrimal obstruction, which is suitable for patients with unusual intranasal conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. g.sav@rm.unicatt.it
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Savino
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Messina
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Colucci
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Balia
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Balestrazzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000002:abnormalities*; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures; D015607:Stents; D014420:Turbinates / Q000473:pathology*