title: Lacrimal Punctal Occlusion With Conjunctival Flap.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a technique of punctal occlusion with conjunctival flap and present its surgical results in a group of patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of 30 patients who underwent punctal occlusion with a conjunctival flap due to dry eye were reviewed. A medial segment of the eyelid margin, including the punctum, was superficially excised. The canalicular opening was closed with suturing, and then the margin defect was covered with a conjunctival transposition flap.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-nine puncti (41 lower and 28 upper puncti) in 52 eyes were occluded with a conjunctival flap. During the follow-up period (mean, 4.8 months; range, 2-13 months), 65 puncti (94%) remained occluded and 4 puncti reopened. Because of postoperative epiphora, the procedure was surgically reversed in 2 lower puncti. No complication was encountered during or after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conjunctival transposition flap may be an alternative surgical method for effective and reversible occlusion of the lacrimal punctum in eyes with severe dry eye.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bülent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yazici
authors.forename: Ayşe Dolar
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Bilge
authors.forename: Faisal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Naqadan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000637:transplantation*; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000601:surgery*; D005143:Eyelids / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques