outcomes of external dacryocystorhinostomy

purpose: to evaluate the outocmes and complications of dacryocystorhinostomy (dcr) in the ophthalmic centers of yazd medical sciences university, yazd, iran. method: the outcomes of external dcr (ex-dcr) operation on 187 patients were evaluated. patients were selected consecutively. results: overall success rate was 90.4% (ci 95%; 86.3 - 94.5%). success rate was 90.9% in females and 89.1% in males (p= 0.543). regarding dcr method, success rate was 96.3% with silastic intubation and 88% without it (p= 0.08). the more frequent and important complications of dcr were failure of treatment and recurrence of epiphora and purulent discharge (9.6%), unusual scar (8.6%), and infection (5.3%). no major complications occurred during operation. conclusion: external dcr is a relatively easy technique with a success rate of more than 90% with few complications. the procedure can be done in most ophthalmic centers.