Evaluation of the feasibility of the vidian neurectomy using computed tomography

For around 50 years, various approaches to the vidian neurectomy have been advocated. This indicates that there is no single surgical technique that is superior to all others. In this report, we analyze the included angle between the posterior end of middle turbinate and the anterior opening of the vidian canal. The aim of this paper is to use preoperative CT scanning to find a key anatomical structure to predict the feasibility of the vidian neurectomy. A retrospective research was performed. A total of 63 patients with 106 endoscopic vidian neurectomies between September 2006 and April 2010 were selected. The study population included 50 men and 13 women, with a mean age of 28. A paranasal sinus CT scan was obtained and analyzed. The included angle was measured and compared to the operating success rates. In the successful group (78 sides, 73.58%), the included angle from axial and coronal CT imaging was 30.2 ± 4.9° and 26.4 ± 9.1°, respectively. In the 28 failed sides (26.42%), the value was 33.8 ± 4.8° and 44.3 ± 8.1°, respectively. Statistical analysis confirmed that the difference between those two groups was significant (P < 0.05). The present study reports the relationship between the vidian canal and the middle turbinate, which is represented by their included angle. The findings support the decision to intervene the surgical side with a smaller angle, because of the significantly higher success rate.