Lacrimal drainage surgery in Wegener's granulomatosis.

Abstract

To examine the results of open lacrimal surgery in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis. A retrospective review of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis who underwent lacrimal surgery over a 17 year period. 11 patients were identified and a total of 14 primary dacryocystorhinostomies (DCR) and one revisional DCR were performed; symptomatic relief was achieved in 13/14 operations and one patient required revisional surgery for persistent symptoms. There were no intraoperative and few postoperative complications. In contrast with some previous reports, open DCR appears to be a safe procedure and it is recommended as a treatment for lacrimal obstruction in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis, but an increase of perioperative immunosuppression is recommended in certain cases.