Use of mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil in external dacryocystorhinostomy

PURPOSE. To evaluate the effects of antiproliferative agents on the fibrous tissue responsible for the failure of external dacryocystorhinostomy at the site of surgical rhinostomy. METHODS. The study group consisted of 60 cases. Patients with primary acquired idiopathic nasolacrimal duct obstruction were divided into three groups according to the agent used. Each group consisted of 20 patients. Mitomycin C was applied to the first group (0.5 mg/ml to 10, 1 mg/ml to 10 cases) and 5-flourouracil to the second group (2.5 mg/ml to 10, 5 mg/ml to 10 cases). The third group consisted of 20 control cases. The mean follow-up period was 15.3 +/- 2.60 (12-18) months. The tissues obtained during the revision of the cases with failure were evaluated by light and electron microscopic examination. RESULTS. External dacryocystorhinostomy failed in four cases. Of these, one was in the first group (0.5 mg/ml mitomycin C), one in the second group (2.5 mg/ml 5-flourouracil), and two were in the control group. Light microscopic examination of the tissues revealed an increase in fibroblastic activity in the control group whereas hypo- and acellular areas were found to be dominant in the groups given antifibroblastic agents. The control group revealed more active fibroblasts with cytoplasms containing numerous organelles in electron microscopic examination. Electron microscopic examination of the cases given antifibroblastic agents revealed fibroblastic cells with nuclear fragmentation, necrosis or pyknosis, while some others had scanty cytoplasms poor in organelles. CONCLUSION. We can conclude that intraoperative antiproliferative agents improve the success rate of external dacryocystorhinostomy.