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Lipogranuloma: a preventable complication of dacryocystorhinostomy

J Kerendian1, H Conn

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, White Memorial Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.

Ophthalmic Surgery and Lasers
|August 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Lipogranulomas, or cystic masses, can form at surgical incision sites after dacryocystorhinostomy. This unusual reaction is linked to antibiotic ointment used with gauze during the nasolacrimal duct obstruction surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Surgical Pathology

Background:

  • Dacryocystorhinostomy is a surgical procedure to restore tear drainage.
  • Acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction can necessitate this surgery.
  • External approaches are used for dacryocystorhinostomy.

Observation:

  • Four patients developed soft, cystic masses post-external dacryocystorhinostomy.
  • These masses appeared within 3 weeks of the surgical procedure.
  • The masses were located at the incision site.

Findings:

  • The cystic masses were identified as lipogranulomas.
  • The condition was attributed to the vehicle of antibiotic ointment on gauze.
  • Gauze was used intranasally to prevent epistaxis during surgery.
  • Three masses were surgically excised, and one was aspirated.
  • No recurrence of the masses was observed post-treatment.

Implications:

  • Highlights a potential complication of dacryocystorhinostomy.
  • Suggests a link between topical antibiotic ointment vehicles and granuloma formation.
  • Incision site lipogranulomas are treatable with excision or aspiration.
  • Informs surgical technique and postoperative care protocols for dacryocystorhinostomy.

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