THE FREQUENCY OF ENTRY INTO AN ETHMOIDAL SINUS WHEN PERFORMING A DACRYOCYSTORHINOSTOMY

Ethmoidal sinuses intervening between the lacrimal sac and the nose ca n cause confusion when performing a dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). This study aimed to assess the frequency of entry into ethmoidal sinuses wh en performing a DCR and to identify any helpful distinguishing feature s, at surgery, between the ethmoidal and nasal spaces. Ethmoidal sinus es were initially entered in 23 of 50 standard DCRs (46%) in which the ostium was formed via the lacrimal fissure. Nasal mucosa was found to be 2 to 3 times thicker than ethmoidal sinus mucosa and less friable. Being aware of the risk of entering an ethmoidal sinus and of the ana tomical differences between ethmoidal and nasal tissue greatly aids lo cation during surgery and allows edge-to-edge suturing of sac mucosa t o nasal mucosa in all cases.