Canaliculodacryocystorhinostomy in the treatment of canalicular obstruction.

Epiphora secondary to canalicular obstruction has been a perplexing problem most often treated with Jones' tube bypass surgery, which necessitates a permanent prosthesis and long-term follow-up. There are certain cases in which these problems may be avoided by using an alternative surgical approach. The canaliculodacryocystorhinostomy, a microsurgery technique, reconstructs rather than bypasses the physiological system. We recommend this procedure in all cases of lateral common canalicular obstruction and upper and lower canalicular obstruction with greater than 8 mm of patency.