PURPOSE: To evaluate external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) performed in children. METHODS: Retrospective study of 16 children under 10 years old, with lacrimal obstruction and treated with the external DCR procedure, between 1986 and 2001. The patient's features, complaints, examinations, utilized surgical technique and its results were evaluated. RESULTS: The sample showed no differences regarding sex and age. 87.5% of the patients were submitted to external DCR without intubation. 62.5% had resolution of their epiphora with only one surgery and 81.0%, with one reoperation. CONCLUSION: External DCR, performed, in childhood, has a similar behavior to that observed in adults.
Dacryocistorhinostomy; Lacrimal apparatus; Retrospective studies; Child