Scarring in External Dacryocystorhinostomy: Fact or Fiction?

Abstract

Purpose: To determine patients' long-term satisfaction with external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with respect to the visibility of the scar and the resolution of symptoms. Method: A single postal questionnaire with stamped addressed envelope for reply was sent to 204 sequential external primary DCR patients operated on by AAM from January 1999 to April 2002. Results: Of the 79% who replied, 67% rated the scar as invisible with 97% happy with the scar. In 92% the epiphora was either improved or cured and 85% would recommend the operation. Younger patients were significantly more likely to rate the scar as visible but equally likely to rate the scar as good or better. Women were no more likely than men to rate the scar as visible, but if visible, were more likely to consider the scar poor. Conclusions: There was an excellent response rate for a single questionnaire. Patient satisfaction with the DCR scar is very high, with the majority considering the scar invisible. Only 3% remained unhappy with the scar. Overall patient satisfaction with external DCR is very high, for the majority of patients the procedure is effective, and 85% would recommend the operation.

KEYWORDS:

• Dacryocystorhinostomy
• scarring
• patient satisfaction
• surgical technique
• questionnaire study