title: Management of functional epiphora in patients with an anatomically patent dacryocystorhinostomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Approximately 5% to 10% of patients continue to experience persistent epiphora following an anatomically successful dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) for nasolacrimal duct obstruction or stenosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the management and success rate of so-called "functional failure" of DCR for nasolacrimal duct obstruction by experienced lacrimal surgeons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicenter retrospective case series including 5 Australian and New Zealand centers. Participants included 61 patients (71% women [n = 46]; mean age, 66 years) with functional epiphora after 65 DCRs (69% transnasal) who were recruited over a mean of 7.6 years. Inclusion criteria included confirmed preoperative diagnosis of nasolacrimal duct obstruction or stenosis, age greater than 18 years, recurrent or persistent epiphora after DCR, an anatomically successful DCR, and follow-up longer than 6 months. Exclusion criteria included evidence of lacrimal hypersecretion, eyelid malposition, and punctal or canalicular abnormalities.
  
  
  METHODS
  The number, type, timing, and success of all clinical interventions performed for the management of functional epiphora after DCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Epiphora recurred a mean of 8.9 months after primary DCR; 89% of the cases (n = 58) had evidence of a patent ostium and 100% were patent on lacrimal irrigation. Intubation with a lacrimal stent was performed in 82% of the cases at the time of surgery, and all stents were removed a mean of 8 weeks postoperatively. Epiphora was reported immediately following DCR in 32% (n = 21) of the cases and within 6 weeks after removal of the stent in 31% (n = 20); late recurrence (>12 months after DCR) developed in 37% (n = 24) of the cases. In a total of 15% of the cases, participants declined any treatment following DCR. The remainder underwent a mean of 1.3 interventions (range, 1-3) during a mean of 23 to 41 months after primary DCR, following which 72% (n = 47) of the cases had a successful outcome; 12% (n = 8) failed to achieve improvement, and the patients declined further intervention. Thirty-nine interventions (60%) were intubation with a silicone stent with a 54% success rate. Almost half of those undergoing intubation elected to keep the stent permanently; 34% (n = 22) had an eyelid-tightening procedure with 50% success, and 15% (n = 10) required a Lester-Jones tube despite patent canaliculi, with a success rate of 90%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Functional epiphora after DCR among patients with preoperative nasolacrimal duct obstruction or stenosis appears to be uncommon. Benefits can be achieved in most patients with intubation (transient or permanent) or eyelid tightening. More than one procedure is often required.
authors.affiliation: South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Adelaide University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Pari N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Shams
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery-Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Philip G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery-Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Wormald
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sloan
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Geoff
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wilcsek
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McNab
authors.affiliation: South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Adelaide University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Dinesh
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Selva
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D055815:Young Adult