[Study of the cutaneous scar after external dacryocystorhinostomy].

AIM

To objectively analyze the cutaneous scar after external dacryocystorhinostomy and to compare the cosmetic result of a nasal incision and an inferior eyelid incision.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients consecutively operated between January 2007 and December 2009 were notified of an examination. The cutaneous scar was photographed and de visu analyzed by the two authors who gave marks : 20, no visible scar ; 10, visible scar but cosmetically considered not detrimental ; 0, visible scar and considered unesthetic.

RESULTS

Eighteen of the 60 patients notified came for examination. One hundred percent of ten patients operated via an inferior eyelid incision were graded 20 versus 25% of eight patients operated via a nasal incision. Of these patients, 62.5% were graded 10. Only one patient was marked 0 (nasal incision).

DISCUSSION

The inferior eyelid incision seemed to give much better cosmetic results than the nasal incision.