Meta-analysis of the effect of posterior mucosal flap anastomosis in primary external dacryocystorhinostomy

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the outcomes of primary external dacryocystorhinostomy and silicone tube with anterior and posterior mucosal flap anastomosis, versus dacryocystorhinostomy and silicone intubation with anterior mucosal flap anastomosis. METHODS: We utilized the electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and MEDLINE® to find articles related to external dacryocystorhinostomy. For inclusion in this meta-analysis, we isolated prospective and retrospective comparative studies of adult patients with acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction, or chronic dacryocystitis, who had undergone primary external dacryocystorhinostomy and silicone intubation with anterior and posterior flap anastomosis; versus primary dacryocystorhinostomy and silicone intubation with anterior flap anastomosis. The minimum follow-up period for each study was 4 months. RESULTS: We identified and analyzed seven studies. Overall, dacryocystorhinostomy with anterior and posterior flap anastomosis was performed on 368 eyes, while primary external dacryocystorhinostomy with anterior flap anastomosis was performed on 397 eyes. There was no significant difference in the success rates of both techniques (risk ratio: 0.987; 95% confidence interval 0.946–1.030). CONCLUSION: For patients with acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction or chronic dacryocystitis, there was no significant difference in the resolution of epiphora, and patency of the lacrimal system, between those who underwent external dacryocystorhinostomy with anterior and posterior mucosal flap anastomosis, and those who had dacryocystorhinostomy with anterior flap anastomosis.