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Abstract
A follow-up study was performed on patients treated with maxillary resection and irradiation for maxillary cancer, particular attention being paid to the function of the lacrimal passages and the causes of epiphora. A questionnaire was replied to by 19 patients and 10 of these complained of epiphora. 9 patients had a clinical follow-up examination. One of them exhibited no epiphora because of the creation of a wide communication bet-ween the lacrimal sac and the operative cavity during the radical operation. The probable causes of epiphora in 8 patients fol-lowed-up were: (1) A lesion of the nasolacrimal duct sustained at the operation (3 cases). (2) A functional disturbance of the canaliculi in spite of patent lacrimal passages (2 cases). (3) Stenosis of the lacrimal punctum (1 case). (4) Ectropium (1 case). (5) Stenosis of the lacrimal punctum and ectropium (1 case). In 3 cases the postoperative irradiation was probably responsible for the development of epiphora. In selected cases endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy ought to be performed primarily, in connection with the maxillary resection. If functioning canaliculi are preserved, epiphora may be secondarily eliminated by canaliculorhinostomy.