Comparison of the effect of W-shaped and linear skin incisions on scar visibility in bilateral external dacryocystorhinostomy

Enhancing Precision: A Visual Guide to Drill-Assisted External Dacryocystorhinostomy Surgery

This technical report aims to provide a visual guide to the drill-assisted external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) technique with silicone intubation. Through a step-by-step video demonstration, it addresses inherent documentation challenges and highlights crucial considerations. A critical aspect of the procedure's success lies in creating a clear space around the drilling area to prevent thermal burns and soft tissue wrapping around the burr. Additionally, it emphasizes the careful use of smaller burr diameters and the importance of drilling techniques, advocating for minimal perpendicular drilling while maintaining rotational polishing movements to minimize the risk of rapid penetration and potential nasal mucosal injury. The thermal cauterization of perforating nutrient vessels during bone drilling offers a significant advantage in reducing the risk of bleeding. A review of existing limited studies comparing drill-assisted and conventional external DCR reveals advantages such as shorter surgical duration, lower intraoperative hemorrhage rate, more regular osteotomy edges, increased ostomy patency, and potential prevention of soft tissue or mucosal injuries. Nonetheless, achieving these benefits necessitates enhanced hand and foot coordination. However, despite these benefits, a noticeable gap exists in the literature concerning comprehensive studies and comparative analyses. Furthermore, exploring the associated cost and learning curve of adopting this surgical technique is essential. This report aims to fill the existing gap in the literature and serve as a visual reference for surgeons interested in adopting drill-assisted external DCR.

Surgical success of 'W' shaped incision versus Tear Trough incision in External Dacryocystorhinostomy

PURPOSE

To compare surgical success (cosmetic, anatomical & functional) of 'W' shaped incision versus tear-trough incision in external dacryocystorhinostomy (eDCR).

METHODS

In a prospective study (November 2018 - March 2020), 61 eyes of chronic dacryocystitis underwent eDCR randomized into group T (30 eyes) & group W (31 eyes). The functional and objective cosmetic assessment was done at 3 months using Munk's and Devoto's scores respectively. The subjective cosmetic evaluation was done using a questionnaire. Grades 0-1 were considered the cosmetic and functional success after assessing the respective scores. The patent lacrimal passage was defined as anatomical success.

RESULTS

Mean age was 40.1 ± 14.9 years with female preponderance. Intraoperative skin flap button-holing & reversible darkening of their apices were specific complications of Group W. In the early postoperative period, lid edema & epiphora were significantly more in group T (p < 0.05). The functional success rate in group T and W was 93.3% and 93.5%, respectively (p = 0.53). There was a 100% anatomical success rate in group T whereas 96.8% in group W (p = 0.51). The subjective cosmetic success rate was 83.3% in group T and 80.6% in group W (p = 0.78) while objective cosmetic success rate was 63.3% and 67.7% in group T and group W, respectively (p = 0.72).

CONCLUSION

Surgical success in terms of cosmetic, anatomical & functional outcomes of W-shaped incision were comparable to the conventional Tear trough incision.

Cutaneous scar visibility after external dacryocystorhinostomy: A comparison of curvilinear and W shaped incision

Purpose

The major drawback of an external dacryocystorhinostomy (ExDCR) is visible skin scar leading to poor patient satisfaction. In this study we have analyzed the skin scarring objectively after Curvilinear incision (CLI) and W shaped incision (WSI).

Methods

This is prospective trial done at Department of Ophthalmology at tertiary level hospital. All the patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction were included in the study. Patients were assigned to group A(CLI) or Group B (WSI). Cosmetic outcome was assessed by scar visibility at 1st, 3rd and 6th month postoperatively by two ophthalmologists separately, who were unaware of incision type.

Results

We studied 64 patients with median age 59.0 years (IQR [Interquartile range]: 50.0–66.8 years). Scar visibility was significantly (p = 0.001) more in WSI group at all follow-ups. None of the patients of CLI group showed visible scar at six months whereas ten patients (31.3%) of WSI group still had minimal scar (p < 0.001). Older patients had significantly less scar than younger patients. The time taken to perform ExDCR was significantly more with WSI (41.0 min, IQR: 40.0–44.0 min) than for CLI (33.0 min., IQR: 31.3–35.0 min); p < 0.05. Overall complication rates were similar in both the groups (p > 0.05) but extension of skin incision was more common in WSI group.

Conclusions

We found that CLI is more aesthetic, simpler, requiring less operative time and less incision related complications when compared with WSI.

Characteristics and Success Rates of Same Day or Asynchronous Bilateral External Dacryocystorhinostomy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the characteristics of bilateral nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) carriers and success rates of same day (simultaneous) or asynchronous (different day) bilateral dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients with bilateral NLDO who underwent bilateral external DCR between January 2010 to August 2015 at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Saudi Arabia. Postoperative success rate was considered as subjective perception of no tearing bilaterally or failure if unilateral or bilateral tearing persists after surgery. Data were statistically analyzed with P <0.05 indicating significance.

RESULTS

Of 57 patients undergoing bilateral DCR, 32 (56%) had same-day surgeries and 25 underwent asynchronous surgery. The median duration of follow up was 7 months. The success rates were similar for the same day group [61.3%-95% CI 49.4-73.2)] and for the asynchronous group [54.2% (95% CI 40.4-68.0)]. Success rate was not correlated to the age, gender, or use of stents.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors strongly recommend bilateral same-day external DCR to treat bilateral NLDO since the success rate of the procedure is similar to the asynchronous surgery, allowing a full treatment in just 1 operative visit.

A Prospective Comparative Study Between Subcuticular and Sutureless Technique of Skin Closure Following External Dacryocystorhinostomy

PURPOSE

To compare the cosmetic outcome of the surgical scar of external dacryocystorhinostomy by the subcuticular versus sutureless technique.

METHODS

This was a prospective interventional randomized control study conducted at tertiary level hospital. Fifty patients of primary-acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction were included in this study. The control group patients underwent the technique of wound closure in 2 layers, subcutaneous interrupted suture with 6-0 vicryl and superficial skin with 6-0 prolene continuous subcuticular sutures. In the case group, interrupted subcutaneous sutures with 6-0 vicryl with Steristrip for skin apposition was used. The surgical scars were assessed and graded by still photographs on a computer screen by 2 independent observers unaware of the surgical technique used at 2, 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively.

RESULTS

The mean scar assessment score by the 2 observers were 2.60 (0.57), 2.04 (0.64), and 1.16 (0.89) in control group and 2.02 (0.65), 1.44 (0.70), and 0.44 (0.61) in case group at 2, 6, and 12 weeks, respectively. Scar grades were analyzed using chi-square test between the 2 group and Wilcoxon signed rank test within the group. The difference between the 2 groups were found to be statistically significant at 2, 6, and 12 weeks (P < 0.05). Thus, the technique of wound closure with steristrip lead to comparatively less scarring as compared with subcuticular technique.

CONCLUSION

The authors recommend the sutureless technique of wound closure using steristrip in Ext DCR as it has superior cosmetic results as compared with subcuticular technique of external dacryocystorhinostomy.

Cosmetic evaluation of surgical scars after external dacryocystorhinostomy

AIM

To evaluate the surgical scars of external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) cosmetically.

METHODS

Totally 50 consecutive cases of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) were included in the study. Surgical scars were assessed by the patients and two independent observers at 2, 6 and 12wk postoperatively on the basis of visibility of the scars and still photographs respectively and were graded from 0-3. Kappa test was utilised to check the agreement of scar grading between the two observers. Wilcoxan signed ranks test was used to analyse the improvement of scar grading.

RESULTS

Thirty-four (68%) patients graded their incision site as very visible (grade 3) at 2wk. At 6 and 12wk, incision site was observed as grade 3 by 7 (14%) and 1 (2%) patients respectively. Photographic evaluation of patients by 2 observers showed an average score of 2.75, 1.94 and 0.94 at 2, 6 and 12wk respectively. Change in scar grading from grade 3 to grade 0 in consecutive follow-up (2, 6 and 12wk) was found to be highly significant both for the patient as well for the observers (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The external DCR is a highly effective and safe procedure and in view of low percentage of cases who complained of marked scarring in the present study, thus scarring should not be the main ground for deciding the approach to DCR surgery, even in young cosmetically conscious patients.

Techniques to minimize skin incision scar for external dacryocystorhinostomy

Although there has been a narrowing in the gap in successful functional outcomes between external and endonasal DCR, external DCR is still being frequently performed when cost, availability of additional surgical instruments and visual systems, surgeon's experience and preference are concerned. Nonetheless, skin incisions at the lateral nasal sidewall of the lower eyelid inevitably leave cutaneous scars. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the outcomes of current modified surgical practices that prevent a conspicuous scar in external DCR.

Comparison of Modifications in Flap Anastomosis Patterns and Skin Incision Types for External Dacryocystorhinostomy: Anterior-Only Flap Anastomosis with W Skin Incision versus Anterior and Posterior Flap Anastomosis with Linear Skin Incision

Purpose. To compare the outcomes of external dacryocystorhinostomy (E-DCR) by using two different flap anastomosis patterns and skin incision types. Methods. This study included 79 patients (88 eyes) with lacrimal drainage system disorders who underwent E-DCR surgery. Fifty eyes of 44 patients (group A) underwent E-DCR by suturing anterior and posterior flaps (H-flap) of the lacrimal sac with curvilinear skin incision whereas in 38 eyes of 35 patients (group B) DCR was performed by suturing only anterior flaps (U-flap) with W skin incision. Results. The success rate was evaluated according to lacrimal patency and scar assessment scores. Patency was achieved in 78 patients (88.6%). In terms of groups, patency was 44 eyes (88.0%) in group A and 34 eyes (89.5%) in group B. There was no statistically significant difference in the success rates of lacrimal patency between the two groups. Further, there was no statistically significant difference concerning cutaneous scar scores. Conclusion. Our study suggests that anastomoses of only anterior flaps or both anterior and posterior flaps have similar success rates; suturing only anterior flaps is easier to perform and shortens the operative time. In addition, W skin incision is a reasonable alternative to curvilinear incision for reducing scar formation.

Aesthetic assessment in periciliary "v-incision" versus conventional external dacryocystorhinostomy in Asians

PURPOSE

To determine the functional and aesthetic outcomes of periciliary "v-incision" external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and to compare with conventional approach.

METHOD

Charts review of consecutive cases of "v-incision" (VDCR) or conventional DCR performed in a single institute, between January 2007 and March 2014. All procedures were performed or supervised by a single surgeon. Two periciliary incisions were made near the skin-mucosal junction at the upper and lower eyelid margins medial to the punctum joining at the medial canthal angle to form a "v" shape. Subcutaneous dissection was carried out inferomedially to reach the anterior lacrimal crest. DCR was then performed in the usual manner. Functional success was defined as no persistent or recurrent epiphora and patency on irrigation of the lacrimal drainage system at least 6 months post-surgery. A cross-sectional aesthetic survey was conducted by asking the patients to rate their scar appearance satisfaction on a visual analogue scale (VAS). External photographs were graded by two independent, masked physicians using VAS as well as the Stony Brook scar evaluation scale (SBSES).

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients with median age of 64 years met the inclusion criteria, with median follow-up duration of 28 months. Thirty-eight eyes underwent VDCR, and 23 had conventional DCR. The functional success rate for VDCR was 83.3, 95 % confidence intervals (95%CI) [lower 0.68, upper 0.92] and for conventional DCR was 73.9 %, 95%CI [lower 0.54, upper 0.87]; without statistically significant difference (p = 0.38). VDCR patients rated higher aesthetic outcome on VAS (mean scores 95.5 ± 16.8 vs 82.9 ± 25.1, p = 0.03). On the SBSES, both observers gave higher aesthetic scores to the VDCR group (observer #1 4.6 ± 1.1 and #2 4.7 ± 1.2, p < 0.01) than conventional DCR (observer #1 3.1 ± 2.8 and #2 2.8 ± 2.1, p < 0.01). More patients reported that they could wear spectacles within 1 week post-VDCR (44.7 vs 4.3 %, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

"V-incision" external DCR has a similar functional success rate to that of the conventional approach and has superior aesthetic outcomes as reported by surgeons and patients. However, a higher proportion of trainees under supervision performed conventional DCR, and it is uncertain whether the outcomes were also influenced by the level of surgeon's expertise.