Lacrimal drainage surgery in Wegener's granulomatosis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the results of open lacrimal surgery in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis.


METHODS
A retrospective review of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis who underwent lacrimal surgery over a 17 year period.


RESULTS
11 patients were identified and a total of 14 primary dacryocystorhinostomies (DCR) and one revisional DCR were performed; symptomatic relief was achieved in 13/14 operations and one patient required revisional surgery for persistent symptoms. There were no intraoperative and few postoperative complications.


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast with some previous reports, open DCR appears to be a safe procedure and it is recommended as a treatment for lacrimal obstruction in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis, but an increase of perioperative immunosuppression is recommended in certain cases.
Kwan
A S
AS
Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK.
Rose
G E
GE
D000328:Adult; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D005260:Female; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome