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Medical Author:

Kanchan Pema, MD

Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Surgery does not have a major role in the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome. Blockage of lacrimal puncta (punctal occlusion) to help retain tears in eyes is one approach that helps some people.

If you need anesthesia for any reason, inform the anesthesiologist of your diagnosis. Under general anesthesia, there is an increased risk of mucous plugs in the airways after surgery. Medications used during surgery can also further dry the airways. Your anesthesiologists can take special measures to avoid these complications.

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