Special Surgical Procedures II
LESSON 1: Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat (EENT) Surgery
Section I: EYE SURGERY
1-10
1-10. PROCEDURES ON LACRIMAL APPARATUS (TEAR-DUCT SYSTEM)
a. Dacryocystectomy. A dacryocyst is a lacrimal (tear) sac. Therefore, dacryocystectomy is excision of the wall of the lacrimal sac. It is indicated as treatment for acute dacryocystitis. A lump may appear under the skin at the inner corner of the eye as the tear sac fills with pus. If the pus cannot be discharged from the sac by pressing on it, the ducts may be blocked and surgical incision and drainage of the sac is required to relieve the condition.
b. Dacryocystorhinostomy. This is the construction of an opening from the tear sac into the nasal cavity. The surgery may be done as treatment for chronic dacryocystitis, trauma to the nasolacrimal duct, or congenital malformation of the duct. In children, early probing of the nasolacrimal duct (before age of 1) may prevent the need for a dacryocystorhinostomy later.
