A new method using epidural catheters in the reconstruction of lacrimal drainage.
Lacrimal outflow obstruction after severance of the duct is a common problem in facial trauma. Conventional treatments include external dacryocystorhinostomy, endoscopic-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy, conjunctivorhinostomy, and a Jones tube bypass. However, the disadvantages of these methods are that the procedures are complicated and there is a high rate of recurrence. From April 2000 to March 2003, seven patients with epiphora after facial trauma had their lacrimal ducts drained with epidural catheters. The V-M shape incision was used with an epidural catheter placed as a stent for six months. After removal of the tube, all patients recovered fully from the epiphora during the follow-up period, and there were no complications.
Lin
Ming-Te
MT
Division of Plastic and reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Tsai
Chih-Cheng
CC
Lee
Su-Shin
SS
Lai
Chung-Sheng
CS
Lin
Sin-Daw
SD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000379:methods; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome