Patency of the nasolacrimal drainage system after power‐assisted medial flap turbinoplasty

OBJECTIVE: Turbinoplasty is a common procedure for the management of nasal blockage resulting from inferior turbinate hypertrophy. There are many ways to perform turbinoplasty; however, power‐assisted medial flap turbinoplasty provides reliable reduction and long‐lasting results compared to other techniques. The aim of this study was to assess the patency of the nasolacrimal drainage system after power‐assisted medial flap turbinoplasty and to investigate the safety of this procedure with regard to drainage of the nasolacrimal ducts. METHODS: This prospective study included 31 patients (62 turbinates) who underwent power‐assisted medial flap turbinoplasty in the period between January 2017 and December 2017 and had a normal nasolacrimal drainage system as confirmed by endoscopic fluorescein dye test preoperatively. The test was repeated 3 months postoperatively to test for patency. RESULTS: All the patients showed normal drainage of the fluorescein dye from the inferior meatus preoperatively and postoperatively as well. No other major complications resulting from the power‐assisted medial flap turbinoplasty procedure were reported. CONCLUSION: Power‐assisted medial flap turbinoplasty is a safe and effective procedure. There was no nasolacrimal duct injury among our patients and we did not observe any major complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IIb