Prelacrimal approach for nasolacrimal duct excision in the management of lacrimal system tumours.

Purpose: To report a case of a lacrimal sac tumour and describe a prelacrimal approach to the maxillary sinus to excise the nasolacrimal duct in its management. To our knowledge, this approach has not been adapted to remove the nasolacrimal duct for the management of pathological processes involving the nasolacrimal system. Methods: A 58-year-old female patient presented with a 6-month history of epiphora. A lacrimal sac mass was identified, and a biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma. Surgical excision was performed via a combined external and endoscopic prelacrimal approach. Results: A prelacrimal approach to the maxillary sinus to excise the nasolacrimal duct in combination with an external approach facilitated an en-bloc excision of the nasolacrimal apparatus. This allowed preservation on the entire inferior turbinate following reconstitution of the lateral nasal wall at the completion of the procedure. Conclusion: The endoscopic endonasal prelacrimal approach to the maxillary sinus is a useful method to approach and excise the nasolacrimal duct in the management of nasolacrimal pathology.

Alveolar Recess Cell (ARC): A Newly Described Intra Maxillary Sinus Cell with Variable Pneumatisation of Alveolar Process of Maxilla.

Anatomical variations in the maxillary sinus pneumatisation are limited unlike the ethmoids. We present rare variations of the maxillary sinus along its floor other than septations and includes wide pneumatisation of alveolar and palatal recess with cell formation. An intra-maxillary cell that opens into the maxillary infundibulum well within the sinus is described here and our senior author has coined the new term-alveolar recess cell. Its involvement in the sinus pathologies and additional surgical approaches for the disease clearance is discussed here.

Extended Endoscopic Pre-Lacrimal Medial Maxillectomy To the Anterior Maxillary Sinus Wall.

Endoscopic pre-lacrimal medial maxillectomy involving the resection of the antero-medial maxillary sinus wall is a novel expanded procedure that allows the management of far lateral or antero-medial benign pathologies of the maxillary sinus, without increasing peri-operative morbidity. Laryngoscope, 133:2874-2877, 2023.

Endonasal Lacrimal Transposition to Expand Pre-Lacrimal Medial Maxillectomy Approach.

EPLA lacrimal transposition facilitates management of maxillary sinus/pterygopalatine fossa lesions and overcomes limitations such as the Simmen type I recess or IPMS pedicled on the medial wall, without increasing peri-operative morbidity. Laryngoscope, 133:2090-2094, 2023.

Investigation of the morphometry of the pre-lacrimal recess of the maxillary sinus for the pre-lacrimal approach of the maxillary sinus and paramedian skull base. A computed-tomography study.

The pre-lacrimal recess approach is modernly used for lesions of the anterior maxillary wall and for reaching paramedian cranial base regions. In this computed-tomography study, we assessed the pre-lacrimal recess types as well as the angles between the anterior and medial maxillary walls and between the anterior maxillary wall and the lateral margin of the nasolacrimal canal to show the feasibility of the pre-lacrimal recess approach in reaching lesions of the infratemporal and pterygopalatine fossae, using 30 computed-tomography studies (60 sides). A type I pre-lacrimal recess was identified in 22 cases (35%), type II was identified in 31 cases (53.30%), and type III in 7 cases (11.66%). We found that angle 1 (the angle between the anterior maxillary wall and the medial maxillary wall) had a mean value of 80.8° (minimum 75.5°, maximum 85.8°), while angle 2 (the angle between the anterior maxillary wall and the lateral margin of the nasolacrimal canal) had a mean value of 59.1° (minimum 57.6°, maximum 60.1°). We consider the pre-lacrimal recess approach a very good option for the anterior maxillary wall, the alveolar recess, and in reaching the infratemporal fossa and lateral part of the pterygopalatine fossa. In cases where direct visualization of the medial part of the pterygopalatine fossa is needed, the pre-lacrimal recess approach could not be the perfect option.

A Surgical Variant of the Pre-Lacrimal Approach to the Maxillary Sinus.

INTRODUCTION: When dealing with maxillary sinus pathology, some areas of the sinus remain difficult to examine. In this regard, the pre-lacrimal approach is a minimally invasive technique to reach anterolateral areas of the maxillary sinus while preserving the physiological nasal function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study aimed to provide technical hints related to pre-lacrimal approach acquired through a large number of performed procedures. RESULTS: According to the results, the mucosa incision was performed more anteriorly than the osteotomy using the proposed surgical variant. Moreover, this procedure prevented post-operative annoying symptoms related to the possible presence of an inferior meatotomy. CONCLUSION: The pre-lacrimal approach to the maxillary sinus should be considered as a part of the surgical armamentarium to address the maxillary sinus.

Abordaje prelagrimal del seno maxilar: experiencia del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile

Resumen Introducción: La patología del seno maxilar es frecuente en la práctica del otorrinolaringólogo. El abordaje prelagrimal permite un amplio acceso al seno maxilar, preservando el cornete inferior y ducto nasolagrimal. Objetivo: describir y analizar las características de los pacientes sometidos a abordaje prelagrimal del seno maxilar, en el Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile (HCUCh). Material y Método: Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, incluyendo los pacientes con patología otorrinolaringológica sometidos a abordaje prelagrimal del seno maxilar, entre los años 2015 y 2019 en HCUCh. Se analizaron variables epidemiológicas, clínicas, resultados y complicaciones. Resultados: La serie está constituida por 11 pacientes, con edad promedio de 46,8 años; 6 hombres y 5 mujeres. Los diagnósticos más frecuentes que motivaron esta intervención fueron papiloma invertido y pólipo antrocoanal recidivado. Todos los pacientes fueron estudiados con endoscopía nasal e imágenes, siendo de elección la tomografía computada. No se reportaron complicaciones postoperatorias mayores. En el período de seguimiento, ningún paciente ha requerido reintervención del seno maxilar. Conclusión: El abordaje prelagrimal del seno maxilar es una alternativa para abordar esta cavidad, en pacientes adecuadamente seleccionados. En nuestra experiencia, la tasa de complicaciones es baja y no hemos presentado casos de recidiva.

Abstract Introduction: Maxillary sinus disease is frequent in otorhinolaryngology clinical practice. The pre-lacrimal approach allows a wide access to the maxillary sinus, preserving the inferior turbinate and the nasolacrimal duct. Aim: To describe and analyze the characte- ristics of patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) with pre-lacrimal approach to the maxillary sinus at University of Chile Clinical Hospital. Material and Method: Retrospective, descriptive study of all patients who underwent ESS for the treatment of any otorhinolaryngological pathology with pre-lacrimal approach, between 2015 and 2019. Variables analyzed include demographics, signs and symptoms and surgical complications. Results: This series includes 11 patients, with a mean age of 46.8 years at the time of sur- gery; 6 men and 5 women. The main diagnoses included inverted papilloma and recurrent antrochoanal polyp. All the patients were studied with nasal endoscopy and images, with computed tomography being the modality of choice. No major complications were observed at follow-up. Conclusion: The pre-lacrimal approach to the maxillary sinus is an alterna- tive to access this cavity, especially in well-selected patients. In our experience, the compli- cation rate is low. We report no recurrences so far.