Middle Turbinate Attachment for Locating Common Canaliculus during an Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study was to determine whether the anterior middle turbinate attachment (MTA) to the lateral wall of the nose can serve as a reliable endoscopic landmark for the approximate level of the common canaliculus of the lacrimal sac during endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).

METHODS

This descriptive anatomical study included 12 cadaveric heads and 24 sides of endoscopic DCRs. After performing DCR, the location of the common canaliculus was measured endoscopically relative to the MTA.

RESULTS

The mean location of the common canaliculus was 1 mm below the MTA. The common canaliculus was found at, below, and above the MTA level in 42%, 50%, and 8% of the specimens, respectively. The common canaliculus was identified up to 4 mm below and 1 mm above the MTA level in all specimens and sides.

CONCLUSION

The MTA can be used as a reliable anatomical landmark to predict the location of the common canaliculus during endoscopic DCR.