[Reconstruction of the lacrimal ducts: results in a series of 102 cases (author's transl)].

Surgery of the lacrimal appartus falls into the realm of a paradox: paradoxical because of the means employed to repair an excretory apparatus which is not absolutely indispensable; paradoxical because of the great difficulty encountered in assessing results in operated patients with: obstruction without weeping or; weeping without obstruction. The indication for operation is related to two factors: that of the act itself--valid in new lesions, debatable in old lesions, doubtful in relapses; that of the technique used, which in the authors' view is mainly a function of the state of the lacrimal sac. An objective analysis of a series of 102 cases strengthened the authors' opinions but with a feeling of circumspection tainted with deception.