The effect of topical avastin in the success rate of dacryocystorhinostomy

Abstract

Background: Many factors are involved in the failure rate of dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery as the standard treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction. There is however, a lot of evidence that bevacizumab (Avastin) with less side effects, has the same anti-fibrosis effects. In this study we evaluated the effect of this drug on the failure rate of DCR. Methods: 60 candidates for DCR were divided to two groups each one containing 30 patients. These 2 groups were matched by age and sex. We used Avastin eye-drops (5 mg/ml) every 6 hours in one group for 2 weeks in addition to other post-op routine treatments. The patients were evaluated for failure of DCR 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery. Findings: In the Avasin group no patient showed surgery failure. In the other group, 1 patient in 2 week and 2 patients in 3 months follow-up showed failure. However this difference between 2 groups was not statistically significant and maybe due to small sample size. (P = 0.327, Fisher exact test). Conclusion: Avastin eye drop may lower the failure rate of DCR. This subject needs to be more evaluated in further studies. © 2016, Journal of Isfahan Medical School. All rights reserved.