눈물소관 폐쇄 치료를 위한 눈물길 원형절제술의 효과

The Effectiveness of Lacrimal Trephination for the Treatment of Canalicular Obstruction

Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of lacrimal trephination to treat canalicular obstruction. Methods: Silicone intubation following lacrimal trephination was performed in 38 eyes of 29 patients with epiphora due to canalicular obstruction between December 2005 and October 2009. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed and telephone interviews were performed. The severity of epiphora was graded by Munk's scale, and anatomical improvement was evaluated by postoperative probing and syringing. Results: The procedure was successful in 73.7% of the cases (grade 0 or 1), and 68.4% of the eyes had complete resolution of epiphora (grade 0). The anatomical success rate was 81.6%. Conclusions: Lacrimal trephination is a simple and effective treatment for canalicular obstructions. Therefore, lacrimal trephination could be performed prior to attempting an invasive conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 2011;52(7):783-787