Dacryocystorhinostomy for epiphora in the presence of a patent lacrimal system.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the success rate of dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) for epiphora in patients with a clinically patent lacrmal drainage system.


METHODS
A series of 51 patients, 12 men and 39 women, who underwent DCR surgery for epiphora with a clinically patent lacrimal drainage system in the background of normal eyelid examination, were evaluated. All patients underwent fluorescein dye disappearance testing and Jones 1 and 2 testing with dacryocystograms in borderline cases. A standard DCR was performed with bicanalicular silicone tubing inserted in all cases. The average time for the removal of the silicone tubes was 9.6 weeks.


RESULTS
In 48 cases (94%) there was improvement in symptoms with minimal or no significant epiphora postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Epiphora with a patent lacrimal drainage system obstruction can be successfully treated by DCR based on fluorescein dye disappearance tests and Jones 1 and 2 tests, with dacryocystography in borderline cases.
O'Donnell
B
B
Department of Ophthalmology, Royal North Shore Hospital and St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. brett.odonnell@island.net.au
Shah
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D019793:Fluorescein; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation / Q000379:methods; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012826:Silicone Elastomers
D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D019793:Fluorescein