A 16-year study of conjunctival dacryocystorhinostomy

We reviewed a consecutive series of 79 conjunctival dacryocystorhinostomies performed over a 16-year period in 75 patients. Thirty-eight of 75 patients with canalicular blockage between the common canaliculus and the first 5 mm of the canaliculus as well as patients with common canalicular blockage who had failed previous dacryocystorhinostomy were treated with combined canalicular reconstruction, nasal lacrimal intubation, and conjunctival dacryocystorhinostomy. In 37 patients, less than 5 mm of proximal canaliculus remained open. These patients were treated with conjunctival dacryocystorhinostomy alone, including four patients who had bilateral procedures. Two of 38 patients who underwent combined canalicular and conjunctival procedures required further surgery for a successful outcome compared with 14 of 37 patients who underwent conjunctival dacryocystorhinostomy without canalicular reconstruction (P = .002). Overall, 71 of 74 patients (96%) had a successful outcome, and five patients were lost to follow-up.