Conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy with buccal mucosal graft

C. R. Leone Jr
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.

Conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy with a borosilicate glass tube (Pyrex tube, Gunther Weiss, Scientific Glass Blowing Co, Beaverton, Ore) is the usual procedure for a total canalicular block; however, in patients in whom the tube comes out, there is a high incidence of closure of the tract. Full-thickness buccal mucosa was used to line the conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy tract in 17 patients to determine whether the conduit would function adequately without a tube. Four patients elected to go without tubes and have remained improved with positive results of primary dye tests. The remaining 13 chose to retain their tubes.