[Long term patency rate of the external dacryocystorhinostomy. A retrospective study in the years 1991-2000 at the University Eye Hospital in Halle].
OBJECTIVE
By means of a retrospective study the indication and the functional prognosis of external dacryocystorhinostomy were determined and compared with the results in the literature.


METHODS
From 1991 to 2000, a total of 203 patients underwent transcutaneous dacryocystorhinostomy at the University Eye Hospital in Halle (228 operations). We evaluated to medical data and asked the patients the satisfaction with the operation, the other necessary treatments and the recent symptoms via questionnaire.


RESULTS
Mean follow-up time was 3,4 years. We sent 223 questionnaires with a feedback of 146 utilizable answers (65.5%). After 121 operations (80.1%) the patients were symptom free or seldom they had a little epiphora in the wind and cold weather. 8 patients (5.5%) had scare problems. Regarding the indication of the external dacryocystorhinostomy age, gender and pathogenesis of the obstruction had no influence on the result.


CONCLUSIONS
The functional success rate was 80.1% in a postoperative mean follow-up time of 3.4 years. This long term patency rate is comparable with the results for the external dacryocystorhinostomy in the literature from 80 to 100%. Other alternative surgical procedures have to measure to these high success rates.
Universitätsaugenklinik, Martin-Luther-Universität, Halle-Wittenberg.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome