Lacrimal drainage surgery in patients with rare nasal diseases

To examine the results of open lacrimal drainage surgery in patients with rare nasal diseases.

A retrospective review of a group of patients with rare nasal disease who underwent open lacrimal surgery over a 15-year period at Moorfields Eye Hospital. Three main groups of disease were identified: (I) patients with treated mid-face tumours; (II) patients with prior major midfacial injury or surgery; and (III) patients with congenital nasal anomalies, including nasal aplasia. The more common systemic conditions of Wegener's granulomatosis and sarcoidosis were specifically excluded.

Eighty-six patients (43 men; 50%) were identified with an age range between 1 and 82 years at the time of surgery. A total of 100 primary procedures were performed in 85 patients and symptomatic relief was achieved in 83/100 (83%) eyes, with 18/100 eyes (18%) requiring two or more lacrimal procedures. Lacrimal reconstructive surgery was considered impractical in two further patients. There were no intraoperative and few postoperative complications.

With adequate experience, open lacrimal surgery appears to be a safe and effective procedure in the majority of patients with rare nasal diseases or major nasofacial anomalies.