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Patulous nasolacrimal duct with air reflux: a complication of submucosal diathermy of the inferior turbinate

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 August 2018

P M Puttasiddaiah ,
C R Whittet  and
G N Shuttleworth
P M Puttasiddaiah*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, Wales, UK
C R Whittet
Affiliation:
Cardiff University School of Medicine, Swansea, Wales, UK
G N Shuttleworth
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology, Singleton Hospital, Swansea, Wales, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Mr Paramesh M Puttasiddaiah, Department of Otolaryngology, Morriston Hospital, Swansea SA6 6NL, Wales, UK E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background

Submucosal diathermy to the inferior turbinate is a widely practised procedure to improve the nasal airway when nasal obstruction is due to hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate. This paper reports a case of an unusual nasolacrimal complication following submucosal diathermy to the inferior turbinate, and reviews the relevant literature.

Case report

A 33-year-old male patient developed a patulous nasolacrimal duct opening following submucosal diathermy of the inferior turbinate. This resulted in spontaneous reflux of air and nasal mucus on to the ocular surface.

Conclusion

This newly recognised complication of submucosal diathermy to the inferior turbinate indicates the need to be aware of the potential risk to the nasolacrimal system with this technique.

Keywords

Submucosal DiathermyTurbinateNasolacrimal DuctPostoperative Complications
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 132 , Issue 10 , October 2018 , pp. 940 - 942
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2018 

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Footnotes

Mr P M Puttasiddaiah takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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