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Treatment of Lacrimal

Traditional Surgical Treatments

Since its introduction in the early years of this century, an incisional dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) has been the “traditional” procedure most often relied upon for relief of epiphora (chronic tearing) and nasolacrimal duct obstruction in adults. However, the high success rate (> 90%) for incisional DCR is balanced by a number of potential drawbacks:

• Recovery time is significant
• An incisional scar could develop due to invasive procedure
• Potential for excess bleeding
• May not be necessary for partial obstructions

Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR)

• Goal: anastomosis between lacrimal sac and nasal cavity (middle meatus)
• Decreased success with prior nasal fractures, children, nasal mucosal disease, broad flat nasal bridge, and re-operation
• Anesthesia incision
  • General
    • because of pt anxiety during bony excision
  • MAC with Local
    • with 2% lidocaine/epinephrine with deep infiltration to bone
    • pack middle turbinate of nose with nasal neosynephrine/Afrin/Cocaine mixture
• Avoid angular vessels, prevent bowstring contractures causing epicanthal folds
• Dissect skin from muscle with Tenzel periosteal elevators
• Spread orbicularis off periosteum with Steven’s or elevators just lateral to medial canthal tendon (push to bone, then spread)
• Vertically incise periosteum 2 mm medial to ant lacrimal crest, dissect away posteriorly, lacrimal sac reflected (supero) temporally

Create Ostium

• With hemostat, elevators, or drill, fracture posterior to ant lac crest through lac bone/sac fossa
• Kerrison ronjeurs to make opening; be sure to get superior enough (under medial canthal Tendon); smooth edges
• Inject local into nasal mucosa to blanch tissue and dissect from bone with muscle hook(27 g 1.5 in needle)
• Incise mucosa over intranasal cotton swab with blade, make sure ant flap is large enough; often no post flap

Probe / Intubate

• Probe both canaliculi
• Cut into sac over probe, be sure to be completely through sac (could need to pass wescotts to make sure); make sure you have enough anteriorly
• +/- relaxing incisions in flaps
• Suture posteromedial flap of lacrimal sac to posterolateral lip of incised nasal mucosa if possible using 4-0 double arm chromic or 5-0 dexon
• Intubate and tie silastic tubes together at level of nasal osteomy with 6-0 nylon/silk to prevent prolapse into eye
• Optional: bring balloon end of cut (red rubber catheter) Foley catheter tube though nose then though ostium, fill balloon then pack it back just inside nose to stent apart tissues, provide post-op hemostasis, to be removed early post-op
• Suture anterolateral sac flap to anteromedial nasal mucosal lip using 2-prong hook for exposure
• Close deep tissue with vicryl, then skin with suture of choice
• Tie ends of tubes together with multiple throws, suture to lateral vestibule

Movies of Surgical Lacrimal Duct Procedures

Lacrimal Stents

CDCR / JONES tube / PG tube

If the “tear duct” obstruction is beyond repair, It could be necessary to surgically implant an artificial “tear duct” behind the inner corner of the eyelids to drain the tears into the nose. The artificial “tear duct” is made of Pyrex glass and is called a “Jones tube.” or Putterman-Gladstone (PG) tube.

Dacryocystorhinostomy surgery provides relief to millions of people every year who suffer from tear duct problems ranging from collapsed tear ducts and excessive tearing caused by accident or injury, birth defects or environmental strain. Left untreated, patients could experience swelling, infections, increased swelling, tearing (“wet eye”) and severe pain.

In 1961, Lester T. Jones and Gunther Weiss collaborated to develop a solution for tear duct problems. They developed highly specialized glass tubes (called “Lester T. Jones Tear Duct Tubes”) designed for insertion into the nasolacrimal duct. The body develops scar tissue around the tube, which holds it in place, forming a new permanent tear duct.

Gunther Weiss Scientific Glass Blowing Company offers Lester T. Jones Tear Duct Tubes in a variety of lengths and diameters to address most patient needs. Tubes can also be custom-fabricated to accommodate unique angles and sizes.