METHODS: A total of 99 patients(113 affected eyes)with chronic dacryocystitis who underwent dacryocystorhinostomy in the hospital between March 2016 and July 2018 were enrolled in the retrospective study. They were divided into the traditional group(traditional dacryocystorhinostomy, 46 cases, 52 affected eyes)and the modified group(modified surgery with simple anterior flap anastomosis, 53 cases, 61 affected eyes)according to the surgical procedures. The surgical results, rates of granulation tissue formation around the anastomotic stoma at different time after surgery, rates of nasal mucosal epithelialization, size of the anastomotic stoma, the occurrence of surgical complications and the recurrence rate during 1a of follow-up were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: The grade of curative effect in the modified group was better than the traditional group(75.0% vs 95.1%)during 6mo of follow-up(P<0.05). The total cure rate was higher than that of the traditional group(P<0.005). The rates of granulation tissue formation(3.8%, 5.7%, 9.4%)in the modified group at 1mo, 3mo and 6mo after surgery were lower than those in the traditional group(64.2% vs 39.1%, P<0.001). The rate of nasal mucosal epithelialization in the modified group was higher than that in the traditional group(25.63±4.76 vs 11.34±3.52mm2, P<0.01)at 1mo after surgery. The area of anastomotic stoma in the modified group was larger than that in the traditional group(25.63±4.76 vs 11.34±3.52mm2,P<0.01)at 6mo after surgery. The incidence rates of postoperative hemorrhage and complication in the modified group and the recurrence rate in 1y of follow-up were lower than those in the traditional group(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The cure rate of patients undergoing modified dacryocystorhinostomy with simple anterior flap anastomosis is higher than those undergoing traditional surgery. The former can promote nasal mucosal epithelialization, maintain the size of anastomotic stoma and prevent the formation of surrounding granulation tissue. It is safe and effective, with few complications and low recurrence rate.