The effect of dacryocystorhinostomy on mucociliary function

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Rhinology
• Surgical Science

Background:

• External dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) may cause mucociliary dysfunction.
• The impact of endoscopic DCR on mucociliary function is less understood.
• Evaluating mucociliary clearance is crucial for assessing nasal and lacrimal pathway health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of endoscopic and external dacryocystorhinostomy on mucociliary clearance time.
• To compare the impact of these two DCR approaches on mucociliary function.

Main Methods:

• A prospective controlled study involving 44 patients undergoing one-sided DCR (22 endoscopic, 22 external).
• Nonoperated sides served as controls.
• The saccharin test was employed to measure mucociliary clearance time.

Main Results:

• Both endoscopic and external DCR significantly prolonged mucociliary clearance times (P < 0.001).
• No statistically significant difference in mucociliary clearance times was observed between the endoscopic and external DCR groups (P = 0.22).

Conclusions:

• Dacryocystorhinostomy surgery negatively impacts mucociliary function.
• The impairment of mucociliary function following DCR is independent of the surgical approach (endoscopic vs. external).