Evaluation of the effect of inferior turbinate outfracture on nasolacrimal transit time by saccharin test

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effect of inferior turbinate outfracture on nasolacrimal transit time by saccharin test.

Materials and methods: Twenty patients who underwent septoplasty + unilateral radiofrequency ablation and outfracture of inferior turbinate were enrolled into study. They had no complaints about their eyes and denied previous ocular surgery. Their nasolacrimal saccharin transit times (NSTTs) were estimated preoperatively and postoperatively in the 1st and 2nd months. The non-fractured side eye was measured only once preoperatively. The fractured-side eye was measured three times. These times were compared statistically.

Results: There were 8 men and 12 women. Mean age was 29.04. Killian incision was used in 14 and hemitransfixion incision was used in 6 patients. Median NSTT was 484, 461, 490 and 446 s for the non-fracture side, preoperatively and postoperatively in the 1st and 2nd months, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two eyes preoperatively, and in the fractured side preoperatively and postoperatively in the 2nd month. There were significant differences between median NSTT in postoperative 1st month and median NSTT in the preoperative measure, and between postoperative 1st and 2nd months (p < 0.05). Median NSST in the 1st month was longer than the others.

Conclusion: Outfracture of inferior turbinate had no permanent effect on NSTT 2 months after surgery in patients that had a healthy nasolacrimal system.

Keywords: Epiphora; Jones test; Mucociliary clearance.