External Dacryocystorhinostomy With or Without Double Mucosal Flap Anastomosis: Comparison of Surgical Outcomes.

The aim of this study was to compare surgical outcomes of external dacryocystorhinostomy with or without double mucosal flap anastomosis. A retrospective chart review was performed for 205 sides of 178 patients diagnosed with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Double-flap anastomosis was performed on 57 sides (double-flap group) and complete flap excision on 148 sides (no-flap group). Criteria for surgical success were defined as no or minimal intermittent epiphora and no reflux on lacrimal irrigation 12 months postoperatively. Consequently, surgery was successful for 53 sides (93.0%) in the double-flap group and 138 sides (93.2%) in the no-flap group. There was no statistically significant difference in success rate between the groups (P = 0.947, the Fisher exact probability test). This study demonstrated that external dacryocystorhinostomy without flap anastomosis had a surgical outcome similar to that of double-flap anastomosis.