title: [Anatomical basis for an appropriate initial osseous hole in external dacryocystorhinostomy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine by anatomical study whether the vascular sulcus on the frontal process of the maxilla can be used as a marker for producing the initial osseous hole in external dacryocystorhinostomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen bones from 10 Japanese cadavers were used (average age: 76.3 years). After removing the frontal process of the maxilla, the following were measured: (1) the distance between the vascular sulcus and the medial orbital edge, as measured from the front or directly; (2) the bony thickness in the vascular sulcus, vertical to the bony surface; and (3) the bony thickness in the central lateral part of the frontal process of the maxilla. On the basis of these measurements, the relationship between the vascular sulcus and the lateral part of the frontal process of the maxilla was examined along with laterality and differences in age and sex.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most vascular sulci were located anteriorly to the lateral part of the frontal process of the maxilla. The vertical bony thickness in the vascular sulcus was on average about 3 mm. There were no differences because of age or sex, and no laterality was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The vascular sulcus on the frontal process of the maxilla can be used as a marker for producing the initial osseous hole in external dacryocystorhinostomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirohiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kakizaki
authors.forename: Masayoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iwaki
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Asamoto
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply*; D008875:Middle Aged