Purpose: Fibrin glue was used for anastomosis of lacrimal sac and nasal mucosal flaps and was compared with the conventional suture technique in external dacryocystorhinostomy.
Methods: A prospective interventional randomized control study in which 50 consecutive patients of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) were equally allocated into two groups. The case group underwent glued technique of external dacryocystorhinostomy (Ext DCR) in which fibrin glue was used for the apposition of the anterior lacrimal sac and nasal mucosal flaps. In the control group, conventional technique of Ext DCR was used to suture the flaps. Functional success was assessed by improvement in epiphora and fluorescein dye disappearance test (FDDT), whereas anatomical success was assessed by lacrimal irrigation and endoscopic view of the osteotomy site.
Results: The anatomical success in both the groups was 92%, whereas the functional success was 92% in the case group and 88% in the control group. The difference in the success rates between the two groups was statistically non-significant.
Conclusion: Glued technique of Ext DCR is a simple and easy alternative to suturing of the flaps. Though the final outcome was comparable in both the groups, glue can be especially useful in uncooperative cases, in cases of excessive bleeding, or in situations where the flaps are very thin or have become friable.
Keywords: External dacryocystorhinostomy; fibrin glue; glued technique.