THE VALSALVA DCR BUBBLE TEST - A NEW METHOD OF ASSESSING LACRIMAL PATENCY AFTER DCR SURGERY

Objective confirmation of nasolacrimal patency following dacryocystorh inostomy is a desirable postoperative goal for both the surgeon and th e patient. The authors describe a simple method to demonstrate dacryoc ystorhinostomy patency and present a study comparing the effectiveness of this novel test with Jones fluorescein testing in 32 cases seen co nsecutively at postoperative follow-up. The test consists of demonstra ting reflux of air through the dacryocystorhinostomy as the patient pe rforms the Valsalva maneuver. This reflux is most easily seen as bubbl es rising through a drop of saline placed in the medial canthus. A hig h correlation was found between this test and Jones testing. The Valsa lva dacryocystorhinostomy bubble test (VBT) appears to be a fast, safe , and accurate method of confirming dacryocystorhinostomy patency.