Abstract:  Objective To report the curative effect of lacrimal passage probing surgery for acute dacryocystitis. Design Retrospective case series. Participants 80 cases (80 eyes) of acute dacryocystitis with abscess formation but without perforation. Method  Based on local and systemic broad-spectrum antibiotics, the lacrimal passage probing surgery was promptly performed in 80 cases of acute dacryocystitis before the lacrimal abscess perforation, and drained the liquor pus from the superior-and inferior-dacrydot. Then the canalicular was daily washed with antibiotics until acute inflammation was controlled. Main Outcome Measures The controlled time of the acute inflammation and the skin reaction of dacryocyst area. Results 1 case (1.3%) in 80 cases formed the false passage, so undertaken the dacryocyst incision and drainage. Acute inflammation in other 79 cases (98.7%) was controlled within 3 days, and no skin ulceration happened. Within 7-15 days the local skin recovered normal color and thickness. Conclusion Our priliminary data shows that prompt lacrimal passage probing surgery for acute dacryocystitis to relieve acute inflammation is fast, safe and effective. (Ophthalmol CHN, 2012, 21: 70-72)

Key words: acute dacryocystitis/surgery, lacrimal passage probing