Avoiding blood loss in outpatient dacryocystorhinostomy

The control of perioperative hemorrhage is a concern in dacryocystorhinostomy, which has traditionally been done as an inpatient procedure, often with general anesthesia. The trend now is toward outpatient surgery under local anesthesia. With proper patient selection and education, adequate anesthesia, and a meticulous surgical technique aimed at preventing blood loss, complications related to outpatient dacryocystorhinostomy can be minimal and associated with a high degree of patient acceptance. This article reviews my technique and experience in preventing blood loss in 434 procedures over 3 years.