title: Effect of timing of external dacryocystorhinostomy on surgical outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present our experience with external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) outcome and to compare cases of early and late DCR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective data review of all patients who had external DCR with silicone intubation in a 7-year period. Data were collected and analyzed concerning patients' preoperative and postoperative symptoms, and the lacrimal drainage system examination before, during, and after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 162 patients underwent 195 DCR surgeries for nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Success was achieved in 81% of surgeries. Success rates were higher in patients who had early DCR (tearing only or early inflammatory signs of the lacrimal sac, 84% success) than in cases that had late DCR (more than 6 months after inflammation started, 77% success). These differences were statistically insignificant. Failure of DCR was much higher in posttraumatic DCR than in DCR for other etiologies. Complications (in 9% of surgeries) were generally mild and infrequent, except 1 case of meningitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In experienced hands, external DCR has good postoperative success with a low complication rate. Early DCR does not have a substantial advantage over late surgery with regard to surgical outcome.
authors.affiliation: The Alberto Moscona Department of Ophthalmology, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. zayder@netvision.net.il
authors.forename: Nir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Seider
authors.forename: Nir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gilboa
authors.forename: Mordechai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gdal-On
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Itzchak
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Beiran
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007440:Intubation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012828:Silicones; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D012828:Silicones