Five Years Audit Of External Dacryocystorhinostomy In Pediatric Patients

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this study were “To assess the age , gender, laterality, peroperative complications  and efficacy of external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in pediatric patients ( below 18 years of age) in relieving the nasolacrimal duct (NLD) blockage and chronic dacryocystitis”.

Study Desgin: A prospective study.

Duration and Place of Study. Eye department, Mardan Medical Complex, Mardan, from 1^st January, 2019 to 31^st December 2023.

Materials and Methods:  This Prospective study was conducted at the Eye department, Mardan Medical Complex, Mardan, from 1^st January, 2019 to 31^st December 2023. Universal sampling technique was used for this study. 51 pediatric  were included in this study, having nasolacrimal duct obstruction and chronic dacryocystitis. Patients who had previously failed dacryocystorhinostomy were also included in this study.  Those who had severe deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps or those with nasal bones fracture were excluded from this study. Success was defined as resolution of epiphora and normal tear film.

Results: All 51 patients underwent External dacryocystorhinostomy. 60.78% were males and 39.2% were females. Informed consent was taken from the parents or guardians. left-sided was involved in 64.7%while right side was involved in 35.29%. silicon tube was put in 58.8% cases   and removed after three months. General anesthesia was used in 78.4% cases and local anesthesia in 21.5% cases. Follow up was done for six months. Intraoperative and post operative complications included epistaxis, eleven cases of emphysema, and one case of canalicular injury, one granuloma formation and one tube extrusion.  There were no anesthesia related complications.

 Conclusion:  External DCR has a high success rate having less number of  complications when treating nasolacrimal duct obstruction.