I Mombaerts1, B Colla. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Leuven, Catholic University Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of partial surgical excision of enlarged lacrimal caruncles, termed megalocaruncles, in patients with epiphora from functional lacrimal drainage obstruction. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: From May 1995 through December 1999, 88 patients (46 women and 42 men; mean age, 68 years) with epiphora, patent lacrimal drainage system on irrigation, and a megalocaruncle underwent a partial lacrimal carunculectomy procedure. In 26 patients, a bilateral partial lacrimal carunculectomy was performed. INTERVENTION: Lacrimal caruncular tissue, with its overlying mucosa, was partially excised, and the wound was closed with interrupted sutures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Symptomatology and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: After a partial lacrimal carunculectomy procedure, epiphora was subjectively improved in 77% of the patients, ranging from complete relief in 33% to significant improvement in 44% of the patients. Twenty-three percent of the patients had no change in symptoms. The mean follow-up was 12.7 months. CONCLUSIONS: Megalocaruncles can be the cause of epiphora in patients with functional lacrimal drainage obstruction, for whom a partial lacrimal carunculectomy is an effective surgical procedure in 77% of the cases.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of partial surgical excision of enlarged lacrimal caruncles, termed megalocaruncles, in patients with epiphora from functional lacrimal drainage obstruction. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: From May 1995 through December 1999, 88 patients (46 women and 42 men; mean age, 68 years) with epiphora, patent lacrimal drainage system on irrigation, and a megalocaruncle underwent a partial lacrimal carunculectomy procedure. In 26 patients, a bilateral partial lacrimal carunculectomy was performed. INTERVENTION: Lacrimal caruncular tissue, with its overlying mucosa, was partially excised, and the wound was closed with interrupted sutures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Symptomatology and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: After a partial lacrimal carunculectomy procedure, epiphora was subjectively improved in 77% of the patients, ranging from complete relief in 33% to significant improvement in 44% of the patients. Twenty-three percent of the patients had no change in symptoms. The mean follow-up was 12.7 months. CONCLUSIONS: Megalocaruncles can be the cause of epiphora in patients with functional lacrimal drainage obstruction, for whom a partial lacrimal carunculectomy is an effective surgical procedure in 77% of the cases.