Secondary haemorrhage after dacryocystorhinostomy

Authors: Tsirbas, Angelo; McNab, Alan A

Source: Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology, Volume 28, Number 1, February 2000 , pp. 22-25(4)

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Abstract:

Objective: To describe the incidence, clinical features, possible risk factors and outcome of patients suffering secondary haemorrhage after dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).

Methods: Records of all patients undergoing external DCR by one surgeon (AAM) over a 6-year period were analysed retrospectively.

Results: After 293 DCR operations in 260 patients, 10 patients had a secondary haemorrhage (one after bilateral DCR), usually between days 4 and 10 post-operatively (mean 6.8 days). Six of the 10 were hospitalized for 2-5 days (mean 2.8 days), all of whom had nasal packing, intravenous antibiotics and intravenous fluids; none required blood transfusion. Three patients had immune system defects, three had used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and four had no obvious risk factors. All 10 had a successful outcome following DCR (compared to an overall failure rate of 25/293 (8.5%): 16 anatomical and nine functional).

Conclusions: Secondary haemorrhage after DCR was found to occur after 3.8% of DCR. Risk factors include being immunocompromised and taking NSAID prior to surgery. The haemorrhage did not adversely affect surgical outcome.

Keywords: complications; dacryocystorhinostomy; haemorrhage; secondary haemorrhage

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1442-9071.2000.00249.x

Affiliations: 1: Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Publication date: 2000-02-01