Try to spot the incision scar in the above photo. It’s there I assure you because an external Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) was done using an external skin incision.
I always remember my mentor’s words while I was closing up during surgery during my fellowship,
“You may do the most complicated surgery in the most beautiful way possible but the patient will judge the surgery by the scar you leave behind”
This maxim has been drilled into me- so much so that my residents find me being too anal about wound closures. I spend extra time being careful about how I close wounds.
As oculoplastic surgeries move towards minimally invasive approaches with smaller and smaller incisions, the scar after surgery is something we need to discuss with patients. With the advent of Endoscopic Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy (Endo-DCR) being as successful as external DCR, the absence of an external scar is an important selling point for Endoscopic surgeons.
I offer both choices for patients but don’t oversell the scarless option of Endo-scopic DCR. Not discounting the Endoscopic skills required for Endo-DCR, it is possible to give good aesthetic outcome with external DCR and sometimes as in the case above, being as good as an Endo DCR!
✂️ Surgery : External Dacryocystorhinostomy
⏲Surgery time: 45 mins
💉Anaesthesia: Done under Local
🗓️Downtime: 2 weeks
📈Duration of effect: Long term
📠 Phone: +91 80 2502 3257
📩 E-mail:dr.raghuraj.hegde@raghurajhegde
🖥️ Website: www.drraghurajhegde.com
©All patient photos are being used with the express consent of the patient. These cannot be shared or reproduced elsewhere.
DR. RAGHURAJ HEGDE 