[Treatment of chalazion with incision and curettage in African patients of the negroid race].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of incision and curettage in the treatment of chalazion in black African patients.


METHODS
In a prospective study performed between February 1999 and February 2000, 25 black African patients with chalazion (27 eyes, 30 chalazions), ranging in age from 15 to 51 years (mean age +/-SD, 25.2 years +/-7), were treated with incision and curettage. Measurements of eyebrow height, pretarsal skin height, crease height, inferior eyelid height and the palpebral fissure height were performed before and after treatment. Success was defined as a total disappearance or a decrease in size (less than one millimeter).


RESULTS
Success was achieved in all of 25 patients. Recurrence occurred in 3.0% after 5 to 6 weeks. During a mean +/-SD of 4.7 months +/-2.9 of follow-up, fistula (3.0%) was noted as postincision ocular complication. After treatment, a significant decrease of pretarsal skin (P = 0.018) and inferior eyelid height (P=0.004) measurements and an increase in palpebral fissure height measurement (P = 0.025) were noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Incision and curettage in chalazion treatment appears to be effective in managing chalazion in black African patients as reported in previous studies in Caucasian patients.
Kaimbo W A Kaimbo
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Service d'Ophtalmologie, Cliniques Universitaires de Kinshasa, Université de Kinshasa, République Démocratique du Congo. kaimbo@raga.net
Nkidiaka
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D017043:Chalazion / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome