Intraoperative fluorouracil in endonasal laser dacryocystorhinostomy.
BACKGROUND
Although endonasal laser dacryocystorhinostomy (ELDCR) offers many advantages compared with conventional techniques, postoperative scarring leading to occlusion of the rhinostomy is more common with ELDCR.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether fluorouracil applied to the rhinostomy site intraoperatively has an effect on the outcome.


METHODS
We randomly allocated 155 consecutive patients (201 procedures) to a control group and a fluorouracil group. Patients and investigators were masked to the choice of treatment.


METHODS
All patients underwent ELDCR. A pledget soaked in isotonic sodium chloride solution or 0.5-mg/mL fluorouracil, randomly allocated by the pharmacy, was applied to the rhinostomy site for 5 minutes at the time of surgery. Patients were followed up for 12 months and their symptoms were assessed at each visit.


RESULTS
Among patients followed up for 12 months or longer, ELDCR procedures performed with topical application of fluorouracil to the rhinostomy site were successful in 65 (76%), compared with 52 (63%) for the control group. This was not statistically significant when patients who failed to attend follow-up at or after 12 months were not counted as successfully treated (P =.21, chi(2) test). Even if those who failed to attend for follow-up were counted as successes, the effect of fluorouracil did not reach significance at the.05 level (P =.08, chi(2) test).


CONCLUSIONS
The topical application of fluorouracil failed to increase the patency rates in ELDCR.
Bakri
Karim
K
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, Nottingham NG7 2UH, England. Nick.Jones@nottingham.ac.uk
Jones
Nick S
NS
Downes
Richard
R
Sadiq
S Ahmed
SA
D000287:Administration, Topical; D003607:Dacryocystitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000379:methods*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D005472:Fluorouracil