external dacryocystorhinostomy: local versus general anesthesia

purpose : to evaluate efficacy, complications, and patient satisfaction using local anesthesia (la), in comparison to with general anesthesia (ga) in external dacryocystorhinostomy (dcr) methods : in this prospective study, 149 patients with complete nasolacrimal duct (nld) obstruction who were candidates for external dcr were randomized in 2 groups: ga 73 patients, and la 76 patients. intraoperative bleeding, duration of surgery, postoperative complications and patient's satisfaction were recorded. results : mean intraoperative bleeding was 50.5±42.6 cc in the la group and 62.6±59.9 cc in the ga group (p=0.157). in terms of operation time, postoperative complications, and patient’s satisfaction no significant differences were noted between the 2 groups. our success rate was 100% at the third month follow up visit. conclusion : la in dcr is safe, comfortable, and high level of patient acceptance. intraoperative bleeding is less with la than ga although it was not statistically significant in our study.   iranian journal of ophthalmology 201022(1):27-30 © 2010 by the iranian society of ophthalmology