Is Silicone Intubation Necessary in Dacryocystorhinostomy?

Abstract

Purpose: To study the results of standard DCR without silicon intubation in patients suffering from chronic dacryocystitis.

Study Design: Quasi experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: Mardan Medical Complex Teaching Hospital, from December 2010 to December 2011.

Material And Methods: Fifty patients (31 females and 19 males) having chronic dacryocystitis were operated using the standard dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) procedure at MMC Teaching Hospital Mardan. All patients were followed for at least 6 months post operatively. Success was defined as symptomatic relief of epiphora and a patent nasolacrimal passage on syringing.

Results: On first post operative day 47 patients were found to have freely patent passage on syringing done in the ward and rest of 3 patients below 15 years also had patent passage on syringing done in general anesthesia (GA). The success rate after 6 months of follow-up was 98 % without using silicon tubes

Conclusion: Standard external DCR is a simple and cost effective procedure for the management of chronic dacryocystitis and routine intubation is unnecessary and probably unjustified.

Key Words: Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), Epiphora, Silicone tube.