[Anatomy study of the lacrimal bone in dacryocystorhinostomy].

Objective: To explore the significance of the lacrimal bone at the lateral nasal wall in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

Method: The position, dimension and thickness of the exposed lacrimal bone at the lateral nasal wall in 10 cadaveric heads(male 5, female 5) were examined and the anatomy of uncinate process, the maxillary line and M point were studied, too.

Result: The lacrimal bone at the lateral nasal wall is always situated immediately anterior to the uncinate process. The average length and width of the lacrimal bone was 9.23 mm and 3.63 mm, respectively. The lacrimal bone was very thin with an average thickness of 0.06 mm.

Conclusion: The study indicates that the lacrimal bone is so thin that a bony rongeur is usually sufficient to nibble it away. The medial wall of the sac is then removed without the use of drill or chisel with less operative trauma. The uncinate process, the maxillary line and M point are reliable landmarks in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.