Changes in Eyelid Position Following Silicone Tube Insertion and Removal in Dacryocystorhinostomy

Abstract

Aims: The authors sought to assess the changes in eyelid position after silicone tube insertion and removal in endoscopic dacryocys-torhinostomy. Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed 60 eyes of 48 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy operation at Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea, between April 2019 and November 2019. All cases were evaluated to discern eyelid positioning, focusing on the marginal reflex distance 1, medial palpebral fissure, central palpebral fissure (PF-2), lateral palpebral fissure (PF-3), and medial canthal angle (MCA) before surgery and at 1 week and 1, 2, 3, and 4 months postoperatively. Results: Twelve patients (25%) were operated on bilaterally and 36 patients (75%) were operated on unilaterally. The average patient age was 56.5years and 9 men (18.8%) and 39 women (81.3%) were included in this study. At 2 months postoperatively, all values of interest (marginal reflex distance 1, medial palpebral fissure, PF-2, PF-3, and MCA) had decreased significantly (p < 0.05, Friedman test), but the changes in PF-3 immediately after surgery were not significant (P = 0.062, Wilcoxon rank-sum test). From 2 to 3 months after surgery, all 5 indicators of interest increased significantly. After silicone tube removal, whereas there was no statistically significant difference in medial palpebral fissure, PF-3, and marginal reflex distance 1 values; the changes in PF-2 and MCA values as compared with before surgery was 0.47 mm (p = 0.02, Wilcoxon test) and 3.25 degrees (p = 0.000, Wilcoxon test), respectively, which was significantly different. However, with these small gaps, it will be difficult to notice the changes in PF-2 and MCA values during clinical examination. Conclusion: Insertion of a silicone tube during endoscopic dacryo-cystorhinostomy leads to temporary deformation of the lid position. However, after silicone tube removal, all eyelids recovered to their original shape.