Postoperative External Dacryocystorhinostomy Complications

Abstract

Aims: To describe postoperative external dacryocystorhinostomy complications at the military hospitals of Jordan. Method: A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent surgical external dacryocystorhinostomy for congenital or acquired naso-lacrimal duct obstruction between September 2010 and February 2013 at military hospitals of Jordan and developed postoperative complications was conducted. The following data were extracted: age, gender, indication for surgery, site of surgery, complications, follow-up duration. Results: Postoperative external dacryocystorhinostomy complications were encountered in 36(18.3%) patients out of 197 patients who had external DCR, 5(13.9%) males and 31(86.1%) females with a male to female ratio of 1:6. The mean age was 38 years with a range of 5-70 years. Recurrent epiphora (sump syndrome) was seen in 3(8.3%) Patients, primary epistaxis in 1(2.8%) patients, cosmetically unacceptable scar in 8(22.2%) patients, wound dehiscence in 1(2.8%) patients, transient lagophthalmos in 8(22.2%) patients, transient orbicularis hypotony in 10(27.8%) patients, cheese- wiring in 7(19.4%) patients, extruded silicone tube in 2(5.6%) patients, infection in 3(8.3%), bowstring skin fold in 2(5.6%), and retained cotton ball in the wound in1(2.8%). The mean follow up period was 4.2 months (range 3- 6 months). Conclusion: postoperative external dacryocystorhinostomy were common, and some of these complications were underestimated before because of the spontaneous resolution. Recurrent epiphora was relatively rare and this may be due to the big osteotomy size that we adopt in our surgery. Other complications could be avoided by special attention to wound closure.