The Effect of Lateral Osteotomy of Septorhinoplasty on Nasolacrimal Duct Functions: A Radionuclide Imaging Study

Abstract

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of lateral osteotomy of septorhinoplasty on nasolacrimal duct functions by dacryoscintigraphy. Methods The study group comprised 60 nasolacrimal systems of 30 consecutive patients who underwent septorhinoplasty. Dacryoscintigraphy images were taken in the preoperative period and postoperative 1st week and 3rd month. After Tc-99m pertechnetate instillation, dynamic images were obtained every 15 seconds. For cases of normal drainage, the study was terminated after 10 minutes but when obstruction was suspected, external ocular massage and rapid nasal inspiration were applied and the test was extended for an additional 10 minutes. Systems were classified either as passage without massage (normal nasolacrimal test), passage with massage (physiological obstruction), or presac or postsac obstruction (partial or complete obstruction) according to test results. Transit time was determined for cases with normal test or physiological obstruction. Results In the preoperative period eight systems (two presac and six postsac) had obstruction. There were a total of 11 (18.3%) additional systems with obstruction (4 presac and 7 postsac) in the 1st postoperative week and patient symptoms were not in complete agreement with the test results in this period. By the 3rd month, nine systems (three presac and six post sac) had obstruction. Transit time was prolonged in both the postoperative 1st week and the postoperative 3rd month tests compared with the preoperative tests (p = 0.000 and p = 0.023, respectively). Conclusion We did not encounter any permanent obstructions after lateral osteotomy of rhinoplasty. Temporary obstructions in the 1st postoperative week improved to normal preoperative status by the postoperative 3rd month.