Anterior single flap external dacryocystorhinostomy: outcome in 200 Sudanese patients

Abstract:

AIM: To present the outcome of anterior single flap external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in Sudanese patients. METHODS: The data of 200 consecutive patients were retrospectively analyzed, who had anterior single flap external DCR with a minimum of one year follow-up. The surgeries were performed by the same surgeon (the first author) and patients were followed up for one year postoperatively. Presence of epiphora at the end of one year and no response to syringing and probing was considered failure. RESULTS: The mean age of the study sample was 29.7 years (ranged 4-65 years). The ratio of male to female was 1∶2. The success rate was 98%. Failure was reported in 4 patients, two of them were traumatic cases with preexisting orbital disfigurement. CONCLUSION: This study adds on to the evidence of the usefulness of anterior single flap DCR. Although it is simpler and easier to master the technique, this procedure showed a success rate comparable to that of the conventional method in literature.