Conjunctivocystorhinostomy - Seven Years of Experience - Part I (Description ofthe Surgery, Groups of Patients)

Overview

The principle of conjunctivocystorhinostomy according to Jones consists in creatingnew way (tunnel) between the conjunctival sac and the nasal cavity wherethe drainage of tears is possible through a hollow tube made from allogenicmaterial implanted into the tunnel. The main indication for performing theconjunctivocystorhinostomy is the obliteration of the proximal part of both lacrimalcanaliculi. The operation consists of two parts – dacryorhinostomy (DCR) andthe insertion of the draining tube.DCRmay be performed froman external access,or from an endonasal access, which is preferred by the authors. Authors presentaltogether 74 surgeries, which were performed during the period of 1996-2002 in59 patients, (55 women, 19 men) mostly in the group of 51-60 years of age. Duringthe surgery, they use the glass tubes only, because, in contrast to the silicone ones,they become not to be obstructed. In 11 cases the loss of the tubing occurred. Toprevent the possibility of the loss and the migration of the tube, the authors fixateit always with a stitch to the lower eyelid.

Key words:
Conjunctivocystorhinostomy, indications, surgical technique