[Lacrimal duct surgery in childhood. Retrospective study at the Munster University Ophthalmology Clinic].

UNLABELLED: Surgery on the lacrimal system in 296 children was performed at the Münster University Eye Hospital from 1987 to 1992.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The age of the patients, etiology of the obstruction and surgical strategy were analyzed retrospetively. A questionnaire was sent to the parents to allow evaluation of the results and subjective satisfaction.

RESULTS

A total of 181 questionnaires was sent back to our hospital (results of 210 operations, including 24 preoperations). Of the 124 children were up to 3 years old. 197 obstructions were congenital, 7 traumatic, 4 results of inflammation, and 2 iatrogenic. In 184 patients we performed intubation with silicon tubing. Seven patients had canalicular surgery, and 19 patients had dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). After intubation 87.5% of patients were practically without complaints, after canalicular surgery 85.7% and after DCR 78.9%. Five patients suffered from severe problems and had to be reoperated.