Chronic dacryocystitis--a review of 50 cases in the University Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

Dacryocystitis is inflammation of the lacrimal sac. Chronic dacryocystitis due to obstruction of nasolacrimal duct affects all ages and had been described by Galen as early as the second century BC.! It is most frequently seen in infants and in middle aged females. In the congenital type it is due to non-canalisation of the nasolacrimal duct and 50% undergo resolution by 6 months of age? Dacryostorhinostomy (D.C.R.) is indicated in adults while in infants this is done usually after 2 3 failed probings and lacrimal intubations. The current standard technique using anterior and posterior flaps of nasal and lacrimal mucosa was described by Dupey-Duternps and Bourget (1921).3 Ghosh T.N. anastomosed only the large anterior flaps of the lacrimal and nasal mucosa." The posterior flaps were completely excised. This makes the operation easier and less time consuming than the 2 flaps method. Whatever the technique, D.C.R. is an effective way of treating watery eyes due to chronic· dacryocystitis. Yet it is not done often enough. Typically a patient givesa history of going from doctor to doctor over months and years before a D.C.R. is offered.