title: Simultaneous bilateral external dacryocystorhinostomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the outcome and complications of simultaneous bilateral external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of all patients who underwent bilateral external DCR in a single session between November 1999 and October 2005 were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study cohort comprised 59 patients (50 females, nine males; age range: 6-72 years; mean age: 49 years). Nasolacrimal duct obstruction was acquired primarily in 54 patients, congenitally in three and secondary to sinonasal surgery in two. Thirteen eyes of eight patients had a history of unsuccessful lacrimal surgery. The operation was performed under local anaesthesia plus sedation in 54 patients (92%). Total intraoperative haemorrhage varied from 3 mL to 200 mL (median: 17 mL; mean: 37 mL). Excessive intraoperative haemorrhage (= 100 mL) occurred in five patients (9%). Total duration of surgery varied between 70 and 140 min, with an average of 89 min. Postoperatively, early bleeding requiring intranasal tamponade developed in one patient (2%) and bilateral wound infection in one patient (2%). Surgical success rate was 95%. Mean follow-up time was 8.8 months (range: 3-38 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports that the simultaneous bilateral external DCR surgery may not adversely affect surgical success and complication rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey. byazici@uludag.edu.tr
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yazici
authors.forename: Berna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Akova
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000151:congenital; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome