Dacryocystectomy surgery in Iran

The lacrimal glands exist in the upper eyelids and they produce tears. Tears usually flow from the lacrimal gland to the surface of the eye then drain through holes that exist in the internal angles of the upper and lower eyelids. These holes are connected to the lacrimal sac by small canals. After reaching the lacrimal sac, tears continue the journey to the nasolacrimal duct to be reabsorbed in the nasal cavity. The obstruction could occur at any spot in the tear drainage system causing partial or total blockage which causes epiphora. The operation of lacrimal sac resection is sensitive. Therefore, the patient should resort to a specialized surgeon. However, most people cannot afford the high costs of the operation and surgeon. For this reason, Iran offers this operation at the hands of the best surgeons, such as Dr. Saeedi, and with reasonable costs that are affordable by all sorts of people in the world. Please continue reading to know more about dacryocystectomy description and about the advantages of having dacryocystectomy in Iran with Dr. Saeedi.

What is lacrimal duct obstruction?

Tears are produced by the lacrimal glands to clean and moisturize the eye. Tears are drained through a small hole in the angle of the eye to the lacrimal sac, then to the nasolacrimal duct reaching the nose and to the throat afterwards. Once this drainage tube is blocked in one or both eyes, the eyes become teary and wet.

What is dacryocystectomy surgery?

Dacryocystectomy is a surgical procedure to eradicate the lacrimal sac. It is one of the applied methods for treating chronic dacryocystitis and lacrimal fistula when it is impossible to have dacryocystorhinostomy.

endoscopic dacryocystectomy in Iran with Dr. Saeedi

What are the reasons behind dacryocystectomy?

Many reasons lead the patient to resort to dacryocystectomy surgery, including:

  • Lacrimal gland malignant tumors.
  • Patients who have chronic dacryocystitis along with other diseases like heart problems, visual issues (glaucoma, advanced cataract, microbial keratitis), Crohn’s disease or systematic lupus erythematosus.
  • Patients who had had a DCR (dacryocystorhinostomy) surgery with no concrete results.
  • Patients who have dacryocystitis with a dry eye disease.
  • One of the side effects after cancer treatment.
  • The permanent use of eye drops to treat glaucoma, for example.
  • Traumas and face injuries.
  • Tumors in the nasal cavity.
  • Inflammations and infections.

What are the symptoms of blocked tear duct?

  • The excess of tears on the surface of the eye,
  • Swelling in the internal angel of the eye,
  • Pink eye as a sign of frequent eye infection,
  • Excessive amounts of mucus on the lids and the surface of the eye,
  • Blurred vision due to the teary eye.

The goals of dacyocystectomy

There are two main goals of dacyocystectomy are:

  1. Eradicating the lacrimal sac without damaging the surrounding tissues.
  2. Total excision of the lacrimal sac and the nasolacrimal duct along with the lacrimal passages (total dacryocystectomy).

What are the benefits of dacryocystectomy in Iran?

Since ancient times, Iran has been deeply interested in the field of medicine, especially ophthalmology and ENT. In Iran, there are now large numbers of highly qualified surgeons and modern medical equipment, centers and hospitals. Iranian surgeons are well qualified to perform any surgery in this field successfully in a professional way and with low costs.

Why to undergo dacryocystectomy in Iran with Dr. Saeedi?

Dr. Masoumeh Saeedi is an ENT, neck and head surgeon and otolaryngologist with more than 12 years of specialized experience since she obtained her fellowship, in which she was ranked first in the country.

During this long period of experience, Dr. Saeedi has performed more than 5,000 successful complex surgeries, including many dacryocystectomy surgeries.

In addition to her practical experience in treating Iranian and international patients in Tehran, she was able, at the age of 33 only, to become an associate professor in Baqiatallah University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, where she remains in touch with the most modern researches and studies in her field of specialty. Therefore, by having dacryocystectomy in Iran with Dr. Saeedi, you can rest assured that your surgery is done as best as possible with the highest medical care in one of the best Tehran hospitals.

Techniques and types of dacryocystectomy

Dacryocystectomy surgery is performed through one of these two methods:

  1. Skin incisions (external dacryocystectomy).
  2. Endoscopic dacryocystetcomy: which includes the use of specific tools and a mini endoscope that is inserted through the nasal cavity (internal dacryocystectomy).

Before dacryocystectomy surgery

  • The doctor explains the patient’s condition and answers any questions about the operation.
  • There are some tests that should be done like blood tests and allergy tests.
  • The patient should have imaging tests like MRI and CT scan.
  • The doctor does some tests to see if there are any obstructions.
  • The patient should not eat the night before the operation.
  • Inform the doctor if you have any chronic diseases.
  • Inform the doctor about any type of medication that you are on.

How is dacryocystectomy surgery done?

Dacryocystectomy surgery is often performed under general anesthesia. However, it can be performed under regional anesthesia according to the surgeon’s opinion or the patient’s will. In endoscopic dacryocystectomy, the tools and endoscope are inserted through the nasal cavity to remove the infected lacrimal sac completely and the nasolacrimal duct without damaging the surrounding tissues and without leaving any visible scars on the patient’s skin.

In external dacryocystorhinostomy, the nasal cavity is anaesthetized, the lacrimal bone is removed in order for the lacrimal sac to appear clear. The surgeon might also perform some osteotomy. After that, the nasal mucosa is trimmed in order not to have any bare bones left.

Internal endoscopic dacryocystectomy procedure is commonly used since it causes less pain and does not leave scars on the face. In the case of external dacryocystectomy, a skin incision is made near the lacrimal sac.

Dacryocystectomy with implants

After eradicating the lacrimal sac, a silicone tube is implanted in order to create another pathway for the tears.

Healing after lacrimal sac dissection surgery

  • After the operation is over, breathing, surgical wounds, blood pressure and pulse will be regularly checked by the health-care team in the hospital.
  • The patient will be given an oxygen mask.
  • You will feel dizzy and sleepy after the operation.
  • The nurse will give you a medicine that will help drain the drug from your body.
  • Via intravenous infusion, you will be given nutrition until you are able to eat and drink.
  • Swelling and bruises are normal after the operation.
  • Pain can be eased by painkillers.
  • The patient might need one day of hospital care. After that, he/ she can go home and rest.
  • The patient should not lift heavy weights during the recovery period after dacryocystectomy.
  • The patient should sleep with his head elevated to reduce swelling.

Endoscopic dacryocystectomy complications

The complications of dacryocystectomy include:

  • Nose bleeding,
  • Swelling and bruises,
  • Infections,
  • Epiphora,
  • Recurrent dacryocystitis,
  • Vision loss,
  • Blurred vision.

The cost of dacryocystectomy in Iran with Dr. Saeedi

Iranian hospitals and clinics are best known for the successful surgeries and the reasonable prices compared to other countries. While the cost of dacryocystectomy in Europe is $4,800, dacryocystectomy costs $6,000 in the United States of America, it costs $4,000 in Thailand and $3,800 in Turkey, the cost of dacryocystectomy in Iran with Dr. Saeedi costs less than one quarter of the costs in the western countries. This is while having the surgery done by one of the most experienced surgeons in Iran and enjoying receiving comparable health care services with that in the most developed countries. Please contact us now to get a free online consultation and quote on dacryocystectomy in Iran with Dr. Saeedi.

Dacryocystectomy vs. dacryocystorhinostomy

Dacryocystorhinostomy is a surgical operation to create a passage for tears and treat the lacrimal duct obstruction. Dacryocystectomy is the surgical removal of the lacrimal sac due to tumors or dacryocystitis.

In dacryocystectomy, the infected lacrimal sac is eradicated completely and the lacrimal passages are destroyed by the procedure. While in the case of dacryocystorhinostomy, the lacrimal sac is anastomosed to the nasal mucus membrane. The goal of this operation is to eradicate the bone between the lacrimal sac and the middle meatus of the nose.

For elder people, dacryocystectomy is a better option than dacryocystorhinostomy for the following reasons:

  1. In dacryocystectomy, there is no osteotomy or bone removal.
  2. The time of the operation in dacryocystectomy is shorter compared to dacryocystorhinostomy.
  3. There is no trimming of the nasal mucosa in dacryocystectomy.
  4. The type of local anesthesia is safer in dacryocystectomy.