Effect of middle turbinate-septal suturing technique on success of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of the middle turbinate-septal suturing technique on postoperative synechiae formation and surgical success in endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy. A total of 98 patients aged between 18 and 65 years who underwent endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy and silicone tube intubation for nasolacrimal duct obstruction were included. The nonsuture group consisted of patients in whom the middle turbinate-septal suture procedure was not performed, and the suture group consisted of patients in whom the middle turbinate-septal suture procedure was performed. The rates of postoperative synechiae, granulation tissue formation, anatomical success, and functional success were compared between groups. The nonsuture group consisted of 45 patients and the suture group consisted of 53 patients. The comparison of postoperative synechiae and granulation tissue formation revealed that both synechiae and granulation tissue formation were significantly lower in suture group compared with nonsuture group (P = .046 and.04, respectively). In addition, both anatomical and functional success rates were significantly higher in the suture group than in the nonsuture group (P = .019 and .025, respectively). The results suggest that suturing the middle turbinate to the nasal septum at the conclusion of surgery diminishes the incidence of postoperative synechiae and positively affects surgical outcomes.