Dacryocystectomy: Indications and Techniques

Abstract

Dacryocystectomy or DCT refers to a complete surgical extirpation of the lacrimal sac. It was first described by Thomas Woolhouse in 1724 and was the standard of care in its crude form, before the advent of dacryocystorhinostomy for management of dacryocystitis and lacrimal fistulae [1]. Rudolph Berlin later popularized it in the nineteenth century [1]. Dacryocystectomy in its journey since then has unfortunately seen many ups and downs and suffered major humiliation in the 1920s wherein it was described by few authors as “an act of surgical despair”; “a useless and barbaric mutilation”; and “a malpractice.” [1] We have come far from those days and DCT is now considered an important part of the lacrimal surgeon’s armamentarium. The usual approach in most of the cases is through a transcutaneous incision, except in certain exceptional circumstances where endoscopic approach may be needed [2].