The length of unutured mucoal margin in external dacryocytorhinotomy

Purpoe To compare the extent of mucoal margin remaining unutured at the end of external dacryocytorhinotomy (DCR) uing ingle or double flap technique and to evaluate the influence on outcome. Deign Propective, conecutive cae erie. Method The number and length of mucoal margin remaining unutured at the end of external DCR were evaluated in 64 patient. Mucoal anatomoi wa performed uing either a conervative (group 1) or extended (group 2) double flap, or a ingle flap (group 3) diection. Patient were elected for group 1 if the regional anatomy permitted the deired diection. All other patient were randomized to group 2 or 3. The mean length of unutured mucoal margin wa calculated for each group. ubject were followed up to 12 month, with final ucce rate recorded. Reult In group 1, 2, and 3 repectively: 11, 24 and 29 patient were recruited; four, 12, and 10 mucoal margin remained unutured; and the mean length of unutured mucoal margin wa 16.36 mm (D = 2.8), 70.66 mm (D = 9.3), and 62.00 mm (D = 6.0). The mean length of unutured mucoal margin wa ignificantly different, although group 1 and 2 collectively did not have a ignificantly different mean length of unutured mucoal margin from group 3. Mean follow-up wa 11 month (D = 2.2), 63 patient (98.43%) had a ucceful outcome with no ignificant difference among group (P = .429). Concluion Different pattern of mucoal diection in external DCR create a different number and extent of unutured mucoal margin which do not appear to adverely affect the ucce rate of external DCR.