AIM: To observe clinical outcomes of lacrimal passage probing in the treatment of neonatal dacryocystitis with inhalation anesthesia

MEHTODS: There were 116 patients(129 eyes), with neonatal dacryocystitis from 2009 to 2011 of no improvement under conservative treatment, and were divided into two groups: 75 patients(86 eyes)in 6 to 12-month-old group, 41 patients(43 eyes)in group at the age older than 1 year. With no surgical taboo found, sevoflurane was selected as inhalation anaesthetic. Lacrimal passage probing was operated with sufficient anaesthesia. With clear lacrimal passage washed in the operation, there was no need to wash again postoperatively. Successful cases were defined with clear lacrimal passage and absence of symptoms as epiphora and pyorrhea, while incidence of those symptoms showed treatment in vain.

RESULTS: The recovery rate of 6 to 12-month-old group was 100%, while the recovery rate of group at the age older than 1 year was 97.7% The difference was statistical significance(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION:Lacrimal passage probing by inhalation anesthesia in use of sevoflurane is safe and effective with fast revival, small operative injury, high successful rate of probing, and it has great clinical application value.