Techniques to minimize skin incision scar for external dacryocystorhinostomy

Although there has been a narrowing in the gap in successful functional outcomes between external and endonasal DCR, external DCR is still being frequently performed when cost, availability of additional surgical instruments and visual systems, surgeon's experience and preference are concerned. Nonetheless, skin incisions at the lateral nasal sidewall of the lower eyelid inevitably leave cutaneous scars. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the outcomes of current modified surgical practices that prevent a conspicuous scar in external DCR.