Dacryocystectomy: indications and results

Is dacryocystectomy effective in reducing epiphora?

Purpose

To study the efficacy of dacryocystectomy (DCT) in reducing epiphora in cases of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Methods

This was a prospective, nonrandomized, interventional study conducted over a period of 12 months. All cases who either opted or satisfied our criteria for DCT in primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (age above 70 years) were included in the study. Patients with secondary nasolacrimal duct obstruction and those undergoing revision surgeries were excluded. Patients were asked to report the percentage improvement in postoperative watering subjectively. Munk score and fluorescein dye disappearance test (FDDT) were recorded pre- and postoperatively. Wilcoxon signed ranked test was used for analysis.

Results

Eighty-two eyes of 65 patients were included. Most of the patients (46, 70.8%) were females. The mean age was 68.46 ± 5.7 years (range: 60-85 years). The mean subjective improvement in watering was 86.8%. The P value for preoperative and postoperative difference in Munk score and FDDT score was highly significant (P = 0.00001).

Conclusion

Apart from providing relief from ocular discharge, DCT also provides significant improvement in watering. Patients can be preoperatively counseled regarding chances of reduction in epiphora following surgery.

Oculoplastic Surgeries in Patients Older than 90 Years of Age

PURPOSE

To report the epidemiology, indications and surgical outcomes of oculoplastic surgeries in older adults (≥ 90 years old).

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted reviewing the medical charts of 114 patients aged 90 years old and older who underwent oculoplastic procedures from 2010 to 2020. Data retrieved from the medical records included: past medical and ocular history, indication for surgery, type of surgery, intra and post-operative complications, pathological analysis for removed tissues, and surgical outcome in the last follow-up.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty eight surgeries were performed on 114 patients (male: female = 1:1). The mean age was 92.95 years old (± 3.12 SD). Six patients (5.2%) were older than 100 years old. The most common indication for surgery was lower lid malpositioning (32%). Mass/lesion excision was performed in 34 procedures (25%). Forty-three biopsies were analyzed and basal cell carcinoma was found to be the most common pathological diagnosis (32%). Hypertension was the most common associated systemic comorbidity (79 patients, 69%). 80% of the surgeries were performed under local anesthesia. Surgical revision was required in seven patients (5.2%). One patient had suffered from a minor stroke one day after the surgical pocedure. The same patient had orbital-skin fistulas after orbital exenteration.

CONCLUSION

In our experience, oculoplastic surgeries among the elderly population are safe without significant complications and can usually be performed under local anesthesia. Advanced age should not prevent surgery, especially if the procedure may improve vision and quality of life.

Anatomical and functional outcomes of transcanalicular diode laser assisted dacryocystorhinostomy as a primary procedure

INTRODUCTION

The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of transcanalicular diode laser assisted dacryocystorhinostomy (TDL-DCR) for the treatment of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was a single center retrospective study. We included all patients who underwent TDL-DCR between July 2015 and October 2017 for chronic epiphora or chronic dacryocystitis. All procedures were performed under local anesthesia with sedation. The anatomical and functional success rates were studied as a function of each operative indication.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients were included (18 had chronic epiphora and 19 had chronic dacryocystitis). All but one patient had bicanalicular silicone stent intubation. Irrigation of the lacrimal system demonstrated postoperative patency in 78% of patients operated for chronic epiphora and 76% of those with chronic dacryocystitis. The functional success of the surgery (as defined by the Munk score) was higher if the operative indication was chronic dacryocystitis (62%) (whereas it was only 41% for the indication of chronic epiphora).

CONCLUSION

TDL-DCR has a lower anatomical and functional success rate than those reported in the literature for external or endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy. However, it retains a place in the treatment of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (in particular when it is complicated by chronic dacryocystitis), especially if there is an absolute or relative contraindication to the two other dacryocystorhinostomy techniques.

Dacryocystectomy with Lacrimal Silicone Intubation in Challenging Patients Affected by Recurrent Dacryocystitis and Epiphora: Expanding Minimally Invasive Approach Indications

Objective:

In this study, we evaluated the feasibility and safety of dacryocystectomy associated with lacrimal intubation, for the treatment of recurrent dacryocystitis and epiphora secondary to lacrimal obstruction with compromised lacrimal sac, was evaluated.

Subjects and Methods:

32 patients underwent dacryocystectomy with Crawford tubes canalicular insertion, performed by a single surgeon. Post-operative visits were scheduled at 1st and 10th day, 1, 3, and 6 months. At each follow-up visit, the prevalence of epiphora and dacryocystitis was evaluated and compared with baseline data. Also, we evaluated the prevalence of local and systemic post-operative adverse events during the follow-up period.

Results:

11 patients (34.38%) reported persistent epiphora, which lasted for 30 days after surgery. Among them, 9 subjects (28.13%) complained occasional epiphora even at the six months follow-up. In the event of dacryocystitis or subacute phlogosis before surgery, patients reported a definitive symptom resolution. Other reported adverse events were epithelial corneal erosion due to Crawford tube protrusion (4 cases, 12.5%), a Crawford tube extrusion case (3.13%), 3 cases of surgical wound dehiscence (9.36%), and a case of mild local bleeding persisting for 15 days

Conclusion:

A significative epiphora reduction was observed after surgery with an acceptable safety profile, expanding dacryocystectomy indications. This procedure provides a satisfactory resolution of recurrent dacryocystitis. However, this approach should be performed only in well-selected cases: elderly/frail patients with altered lacrimal sacs, epiphora associated with recurrent infections, and failure after dacryocystectomy.

Oculoplastic aspects of ocular surface disease and their management

The normal structure and function of the eyelids, eyelashes, conjunctival fornices, and lacrimal system are essential for the health of the ocular surface, and abnormalities of these structures accompany many cases of ocular surface disease. We describe the role of oculoplastic intervention in the context of ocular surface disease, focusing on blink disorders, lagophthalmos, entropion, lid scarring and keratinization, trichiasis, and punctal and lacrimal sac disease.

Endoscopic Evaluation of Lacrimal Mucosa With Indigo Carmine Stain

PURPOSE

Histological investigation in the use of indigo carmine for detection of mucosal pathology in lacrimal microendoscopy. To investigate the histopathological correlation of staining found on lacrimal microendoscopy.

METHODS

A prospective case series was conducted in patients with a history of nasolacrimal duct obstruction and dacryocystitis requiring treatment with dacryocystorhinostomy or dacryocystectomy. Prior to lacrimal surgery, all patients underwent endolacrimal evaluation using transpunctal lacrimal microendoscopy. Indigo carmine dye (0.2 mg/0.5 ml) was injected into the lacrimal system via the irrigation channel of the endoscope, and after copious irrigation, the differential mucosal staining was recorded. Histopathologic analysis of tissue samples of positively and negatively stained lacrimal sac mucosa collected after surgery was performed to investigate the correlation with the results of each endoscopic evaluation.

RESULTS

Four patients underwent dacryocystorhinostomy and 2 patients underwent dacryocystectomy. Histopathology of positive-stained lacrimal sac mucosa corresponded to areas of the advanced fibrous stage of mucosal changes resulting from dacryocystitis, which showed atrophy of epithelium associated with the loss of goblet cells and subepithelium fibrous scarring. In contrast, areas of lacrimal mucosa that did not stain with indigo carmine were still in an active inflammatory stage of dacryocystitis preserving columnar epithelium with goblet cells.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that indigo carmine staining is a useful adjunct in lacrimal microendoscopy for accurately detecting areas of highly damaged fibrous lacrimal mucosa, as it allows for direct visualization of lacrimal mucosal pathology and can provide prognostic insight and guidance in regard to treatment options for patients with lacrimal drainage obstruction.Use of indigo carmine dye as an in vivo adjunct in lacrimal microendoscopy is useful for accurately detecting areas of highly damaged lacrimal mucosa.

Dacryocystectomy as a treatment of chronic dacryocystitis in the elderly

To evaluate the dacryocystectomy (DCT) outcomes for chronic dacryocystitis in an elderly population over 70 years old. A retrospective chart review was performed for patients over 70 years old who were diagnosed with chronic dacryocystitis and underwent DCT at the Botucatu School of Medicine, UNESP, Brazil, from 2007 to July 2014. Data were collected about patient demographics, age, gender, previous nasal, or ophthalmic diseases, symptoms related to the lacrimal drainage system preoperatively and postoperatively, signs of enlargement of the lacrimal sac (regurgitation of secretion), and histopathologic evaluation. The study sample was comprised of 17 patients with an average age of 76.5 ± 8.5 years. The major complaint for all patients was tearing and 17.6% patients had an additional complaint of discharge. Regurgitation of secretion with lacrimal sac expression was present in 76.5% of patients. Postoperatively, 76.5% of the patients reported improvement of the initial complaint, likely due to the total excision of the lacrimal sac which removed the focal site of chronic infection. Epiphora persisted in 23.5% of patients, of whom 11.7% underwent successful lacrimal stent intubation. DCT for chronic dacryocystitis should be considered a primary procedure in individuals over 70 years old. This procedure has a much lower risk to these patients who often have associated comorbidities.

Dacryocystectomy: Indications and Results at Tertiary Eye Hospital in Central Saudi Arabia

PURPOSE

To report indications and success rates of dacryocystectomy (DCT) in a tertiary hospital.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients who underwent DCT at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Saudi Arabia, from 2008 to 2015. Data included patient demographics, symptoms before and after surgery, and complications. Univariate analysis using parametric and non-parametric methods was performed.

RESULTS

Forty-seven DCT surgeries were performed over the study period. The median age of patients was 58.2 ± 2 years old, 63.8% were female, 60% of surgeries were performed on the left side, and 8% of patients underwent bilateral simultaneous DCT. Chronic dacryocystitis was the surgical indication for DCT for all of the patients and 23.5% of them had dry eye preoperatively. Successful treatment was observed in 80.8% of patients and 8.5% complained of tearing after DCT.

CONCLUSION

The main indication for DCT in our hospital was chronic dacryocystitis with good outcomes for elderly patients with dry eyes.

A Family of Early English Oculists (1600-1751), With a Reappraisal of John Thomas Woolhouse (1664-1733/1734)

Introduction:

John Thomas Woolhouse (1666-1733/1734), who practiced in Paris, was part of a family with 5 generations of English oculists. Some historians have derided him as a “charlatan” and have criticized him for adhering to the old notion that a cataract was a membrane anterior to the lens.

Methods:

We reviewed treatises and digital records related to Woolhouse and his family and the handwritten notes of his 1721 lecture series at the Royal Society of Medicine.

Results:

We have identified 5 generations of oculists in Woolhouse’s family, by the names of Atwood, Stepkins, Ivy, and Beaumont. Woolhouse taught students from across Europe. He was one of the early proponents in Europe, inspired by Asian medical practices, to perform paracentesis to release aqueous for a new condition called hydrophthalmia. In Woolhouse’s system, some of these cases probably described angle-closure glaucoma. He was the first to attach the name glaucoma to the palpably hard eye in 1707. He may also have been the first to teach that a soft eye was unlikely to recover vision. Credit for these teachings has traditionally gone to one of his students, Johannes Zacharias Platner, in 1745. Some historians have stated that he proposed iridectomy as a theoretical procedure, which was later performed by Cheselden. In fact, Woolhouse described techniques he had performed which today would be called pupilloplasty, synechiolysis, or pupillary membrane lysis. He was also a pioneer in dacryocystectomy for chronic dacryocystitis and in congenital cataract surgery. His writings from 1716 onward repeatedly (and correctly) stressed that most of the patients with visual disorders required depression of the crystalline lens (for what he called glaucoma), as opposed to removal of an anterior membrane (which he called cataract).

Conclusions:

Woolhouse was a bold ophthalmic innovator and teacher who made major contributions which have lasted to this day. Although he did not admit it, he ultimately adopted much of the evolving understanding of the nature of lens opacities. However, his stubborn refusal to adopt the newer semantics has detracted from a full appreciation of his contributions.

Dacryocystectomy: goals, indications, techniques and complications

Dacryocystectomy is a well-established oculo plastics procedure that refers to a complete surgical extirpation of the lacrimal sac. It was first described by Woolhouse in 1724 and was the standard of care before the advent of dacryocystorhinostomy for management of dacryocystitis and lacrimal fistulas. Although it is a seldom performed procedure worldwide, it still has its place in the surgical armamentarium for certain specific indications like malignant lacrimal sac tumors. It is almost always performed through an external skin incision except in certain exceptional circumstances where endoscopic dacryocystectomy may be needed. This article discusses the indications, goals, techniques, and complications of a dacryocystectomy.

An endoscopic endonasal approach to dacryocystectomy

ABSTRACT A 78-year-old woman with dementia presented with functional visual loss secondary to bilateral chronic purulent dacryocystitis. A right external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) under local anaesthesia and sedation (LAS) was performed which failed after one month. Wound care was problematic as the patient removed all dressings and picked at the incision resulting in dehiscence and wound infection. She then underwent bilateral dacryocystectomy (DCT) under LAS and cauterisation of the common canaliculus via an endoscopic endonasal approach. Post-operatively her symptoms fully resolved. An endoscopic approach to lacrimal sac excision may be feasible in selected cases where a skin incision may not be desirable.

Periocular involvement in cutaneous leishmaniasis

OBJECTIVE

Although cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) occurs mostly in the facial area, periocular involvement accounts for 2-5% of the facial lesions. CL lesions localized in the periocular region can easily be confused with various other diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of periocular involvement in CL in the Cukurova region of Turkey, as well as the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and methods of treatment of this disease.

METHODS

Between December 1998 and December 2004, patients who were diagnosed with CL were evaluated prospectively with respect to periocular involvement.

RESULTS

From the 2066 patients evaluated with CL, 2622 lesions were identified. In 59 (2.9%) of these patients, a total of 66 (2.5%) lesions were located in the periocular area. Thirty-two (48.5%) of these lesions were of the papular type, 15 (22.7%) the nodulo-ulcerative type, 10 (15.2%) the plaque type, and nine (13.6%) the nodular type. Dacryocystitis was identified in four patients with periocular involvement. Over the follow-up period, no ocular or periocular deformities or complications developed in these patients.

CONCLUSION

Patients suspected of CL should be evaluated and treated early in the course of their disease to prevent any permanent ocular or periocular deformities.

Recurrent bilateral dacryocystoceles in Wegener's granulomatosis: a rhinologic perspective

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a rare, idiopathic, systemic vasculitis of small vessels that manifests in multiple organ systems. Otorhinolaryngic manifestations of this disease include recurrent sinusitis and relapsing polychondritis. Periocular involvement is also a well-documented location of Wegener's disease. We present the case of a 13-year-old girl with severe WG who developed multiple recurrent orbital infections. She underwent multiple incision and drainage surgeries of each orbit and multiple courses of intravenous antibiotics. The patient persistently reaccumulated purulence in her nasolacrimal duct system and was referred to an oculoplastic surgeon for evaluation of these recurrent infections. The diagnosis of dacryocystitis as a complication of WG was made. This unique case represents a patient with severe WG developing bilateral dacryocystitis requiring bilateral dacryocystorhinostomies.