Lacrimal drainage surgery in Wegener's granulomatosis

Aim-To examine the results of open lacrimal surgery in patients with Wegene r's granulomatosis. Methods-A retrospective review of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis wh o underwent lacrimal surgery over a 17 year period. Results-11 patients were identified and a total of 14 primary dacryocystorh inostomies (DCR) and one revisional DCR were performed; symptomatic relief was achieved in 13/14 operations and one patient required revisional surger y for persistent symptoms. There were no intraoperative and few postoperati ve complications. Conclusions-In contrast with some previous reports, open DCR appears to be a safe procedure and it is recommended as a treatment for lacrimal obstruct ion in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis, but an increase of periopera tive immunosuppression is recommended in certain cases.