Prospective randomized comparison of endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy and external dacryocystorhinostomy

Objectives and Study Design: The advent of the rigid endonasal endoscope and the development of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) technique have awakened interest in an endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EESC-DCR) in treating nasolacrimal obstruction. This prospective, randomized study compares EESC-DCR with traditional external dacryocystorhinostomy (EXT-DCR) for their success rates, surgical duration, and postoperative symptoms. Patients and Methods: Sixty-four cases in 60 patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal sac or duct obstruction were divided into two subgroups by symptoms (simple epiphora/ chronic dacryocystitis). These patients were randomized within both subgroups into two operation groups. Altogether 32 EESC-DCRs and 32 EXT-DCRs were performed. The final follow-up visit was at 1 year. The patency of the lacrimal passage was investigated by irrigation and patients were questioned about their symptoms. Results: The success rate at 1 year after surgery was 75% for EESC-DCR and 91% for EXT-DCR after primary surgery. The difference was not statistically significant (P = .18). The success rate after secondary surgery with a follow-up time of 1 year was 97% in both study groups. The average duration for EESC-DCR was 38 minutes, and 78 minutes for EXT-DCR, (P < .001). Conclusions: EXT-DCR, when compared with EESC-DCR, appears to give a higher, although not statistically significant, primary success rate, but the secondary success rates are equal, indicating that these two different DCR techniques are acceptable alternatives.     

Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with conventional instruments: results and advantages over external dacryocystorhinostomy

Background  The aim of study is to evaluate the Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with conventional instruments, its results and advantage over external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). Methods  The study group comprised of 127 patients who underwent consecutive endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. The cases operated by one team were included in the study to make the uniform analysis and its result. There were 48 males and 79 female in this study and male female ratio was 1:1.6. The mean age of the patient was 37 years (range from 16 years to 58 years). There were wide variety of cases like epiphora, lacrimal sac abscess, lacrimal sac fistula, acute dacryocystitis and road vehicular accident. All the patients had undergone non-laser, non-powered conventional instruments surgery under local anesthesia. The lighted probe was not used in any case for sac identification. The free flow of saline through newly created stoma during sac syringing was considered as successful criteria. The stent was used in two cases of road vehicular accident and in remaining 125 cases no stent was used. There were 66 cases of epiphora, 30 cases of lacrimal sac abscess, 26 cases of acute dacryocystitis, 3 cases of lacrimal fistula and 2 case of road traffic accident with multiple fractures. The average follow up period was 17 months (maximum follow up 3 years and minimum 4 months.) Results  The success rate was 96 %. Conclusion  The endoscopic DCR with conventional instruments is safe with very high success rate without any complications. It can be done in acute cases and very much suited for lacrimal sac abscess and lacrimal sac fistula.     

Anastomosis of nasal mucosal and lacrimal sac flaps in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is a well-established alternative to external approaches in the treatment of nasolacrimal canal obstruction. From July 2004 to December 2008, 92 endoscopic DCRs were performed on 88 patients at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan. All patients were affected by chronic dacryocystitis with epiphora. Preoperative work-up included Jones tests, lacrimal pathways irrigation, nasal endoscopy, and imaging evaluation by computed tomography. The technique involved anastomosis of nasal mucosal, lacrimal sac flaps and a large bony ostium. A silicone tube was inserted in all patients that remained for a period of 3 months. The first endoscopic intervention was successful in 91.30% of patients. After a second revision endoscopic DCR, the overall success rate raised to 95.65%. Anastomosis of nasal mucosal between lacrimal sac flaps plays a key role in endoscopic DCR with a high success rate both in primary nasolacrimal obstructions and in revision cases.     

两种术式治疗慢性泪囊炎疗效和满意度对照

目的观察鼻外泪囊鼻腔吻合术（external dacryocystorhinostomy,EDCR）和内镜下泪囊鼻腔造孔术（intranasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy,IEDCR）治疗慢性泪囊炎的疗效,评价患者术后满意度。方法采用随机对照设计,108例慢性泪囊炎患者被分为内镜组和对照组,分别行IEDCR和EDCR,记录症状体征变化、手术时间、住院天数和医疗费用等。随访1～5年,采用术后间隔满意尺度调查患者对手术的满意程度。结果①两组症状体征积分、手术时间、住院时间无统计学差异,内镜组住院费用高于对照组;②内镜组和对照组5年复发率分别是12.82%和15.56%,LogRank检验,χ^2=0.394,P=0.530;③内镜组和对照组术后满意度评分分别是（81.70±10.242）分和（75.72±10.653）分,近似正态分布,t=-2.974,P=0.004。结论两种术式治疗慢性泪囊炎疗效相似,但IEDCR因为微创,不影响美容,是更为理想的治疗方法。     

Management of traumatic dacryocystitis and failed dacryocystorhinostomy using silicone lacrimal intubation set

The aim of this work is to study the management and success rate of traumatic dacryocystitis and failed dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) using Silicone lacrimal intubation set. A prospective study was conducted at a tertiary eye care hospital, India from February 2006 to January 2008. This study material comprised 50 patients of traumatic dacryocystitis and failed dacryocystorhinostomy. Anterior single flap external dacryocystorhinostomy with Silicon intubation was performed in all the patients. The patients were followed up at weekly intervals for 1?month and thereafter every 2?months for 1?year post operatively. Criteria determining success were based on resolution of epiphora and patency on syringing. In traumatic dacryocystitis, 21(91.3%) cases fulfilled these criteria while 23(85.2%) cases of failed DCR were successful. The overall success rate (88%) was determined with an average follow-up of 1?year. Globally, the technique was effective in 85% of cases. The results were comparable with other similar studies. This study concludes that performing a DCR in traumatic dacryocystitis and failed DCR taking into consideration the complications and chances of failure is a challenge for the surgeon. We opine that External dacryocystorhinostomy with Silicon Intubation is one of the most effective modality in dealing with such cases.     

Endonasal carbon-dioxide laser assisted dacryocystorhinostomy verses external dacryocystorhinostomy

This is a prospective, non-randomized study to evaluate and compare the results, morbidity and surgical time for endonasal carbon-dioxide laser assisted dacryocystorhinostomy and external dacryocystorhinostomy. 70 consecutive patients of chronic dacryocystitis with nasolacrimal duct obstruction were selected for the study. 36 patients under went endonasal CO2 laser assisted dacryocystorhinostomy and 34 had external dacryocystorhinostomy. Selection of the type of operation was left to the patient's choice. All the patients had preoperative counseling and both the procedures were explained in detail with their advantages and disadvantages. Patients not willing for the external incision were selected for endonasal laser assisted dacryocystorhinostomy and others were operated via external approach. Silicone tubes were put in all the patients for three months after surgery. The final follow up was 12 months after the removal of silicone tubes. The patency of the lacrimal passage was confirmed by irrigation, and patients were questioned about their symptoms. The success rates, 12 months after removal of silicone tubes were 100% in endonasal CO2 laser assisted dacryocystorhinostomy and 88.24% in external dacryocystorhinostomy. The surgical time of endonasal laser assisted dacryocystorhinostomy was 38 minutes as compared to 62 in external dacryocystorhinostomy. Complication rate in both groups was almost equal. Thus, we came to the conclusion that Endonasal CO2 laser assisted dacryocystorhinostomy is a better surgical option to external dacryocystorhinostomy in cases of chronic dacryocystitis with nasolacrimal duct obstruction, with shorter surgical time.     

Hammer-chisel technique in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

We performed a prospective evaluation of endoscopic hammer-chisel dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) procedures on 62 eyes of 44 patients (40 female and 4 male) with chronic epiphora or dacryocystitis (26 unilateral and 18 bilateral). The technique included chisel removal of bone over the lacrimal sac. The follow-up period was 12 to 54 months (mean, 28 months), and the patients' ages ranged from 17 to 67 years (mean, 35.5 years). The success rate of the consecutive endoscopic hammer-chisel DCR procedures was 87%. During operation, 8 patients had mild mucosal hemorrhage, which did not prevent the successful completion of the operation. Excellent patient tolerance was observed, with minimal morbidity and no major complications. As compared to the external approach, endoscopic hammer-chisel DCR is less traumatic, is less time-consuming, and is practical and cosmetically convenient, with minimal perioperative and postoperative complications. It also allows the simultaneous correction of any intranasal disease. It requires minimal instrumentation and is a relatively easy and fast technique.     

Pediatric endocanalicular diode laser dacryocystorhinostomy: results of a minimally invasive surgical technique

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of endocanalicular diode laser dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), which is a minimally invasive surgical technique, in pediatric patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). A retrospective study was carried out on patients treated between October 2008 and August 2009 for nasolacrimal duct obstruction with an endocanalicular diode laser procedure. Patients diagnosed as having nasolacrimal duct obstruction were included in this study and an endocanalicular diode laser procedure was performed. The main outcome measures were patients’ previous treatments, clinical presentation, operative and postoperative complications, postoperative follow-up and resolution of epiphora. Eighteen children (10 girls, 8 boys) with a mean age of 6.11 ± 2.08 years (range, 4–10) underwent 20 endocanalicular laser DCR operations for congenital NLDO. In all eyes (100%), there was a history of epiphora and chronic dacryocystitis; two (10%) presented with acute dacryocystitis. Previous procedures included probing and irrigation of all eyes (100%) and silicone tube intubation in nine eyes (45%). None of the patients underwent any previous DCR operations. During a mean postoperative follow-up period of 20.50 ± 3.24 months (range, 14–24 months), the anatomical success rate (patency of ostium on nasal endoscopy) was 100%, and the clinical success rate (resolution of epiphora) was 85%. Endocanalicular diode laser DCR is an effective treatment modality for pediatric patients with congenital NLDO that compares favorably with the reported success rates of external and endoscopic endonasal DCR. Moreover, it has an added advantage of shorter operative time, less morbidity and avoidance of overnight admission.     

A novel stenting technique in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

The objective of our study was to evaluate in a prospective noncomparative case series, the clinical efficacy and the results of modified T-tube insertion instead of silicone tube in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EDCR). Following ophthalmologic examinations, 22 patients (16 female, 6 male) suffering from recurrent chronic epiphora with postsaccal stenosis for whom DCR was indicated, underwent EDCR at Dumlupinar University Hospital by an otorhinolaryngologist and an ophthalmologist between the years 2006 and 2007. Instead of inserting a classic silicone tube passed through canaliculi and knotted inside the nose, a modified T-tube was used, without passing it through punctum, and was placed to stoma with a less traumatic endonasal endoscopic technique. The medial wall of the sac was incised vertically and the T-tube was placed horizontal to the incision. Postoperatively, the patients were evaluated by endoscopic controls in the first, third, sixth, and twelfth months to evaluate T-tube localization and rhinostomy opening site. The success was defined as resolution of epiphora with patent ostium after evaluation by irrigation and nasal endoscopy. Eighteen patients (82%) showed complete resolution of epiphora at 12-months of follow-up. Re-stenosis was observed only in four cases, one in the sixth and the other in the ninth postoperative months. Granulation tissue formation near the rhinostomy site was seen in one patient, which did not cause any functional problem. The success rate was calculated as 82%. We conclude that modified T-tube placement in EDCR seems to be a practical and less traumatic technique. This is also a cheaper method besides being less traumatic and easier to perform than canalicular stenting. It can be considered as a useful alternative to the classic silicon tubes in cases of epiphora resulting from the postsaccal stenosis.     

改良鼻内镜下泪囊鼻腔造孔术治疗慢性泪囊炎

目的:探讨改良鼻内镜下泪囊鼻腔造孔术治疗慢性泪囊炎的手术方法及其疗效。方法:通过对造孔、泪囊黏膜瓣的切开及固定方式等的改良处理,在鼻内镜下完成泪囊鼻腔造孔术治疗慢性泪囊炎22例(23眼)。结果:术后随访6～10个月,平均8个月。22例(23眼)中,21例(22眼)治愈,症状完全消失,泪道冲洗畅通,内镜检查造孔通畅;1例(1眼)症状改善不明显。总有效率95.7%(22/23)。所有患者未出现严重并发症。结论:改良鼻内镜下泪囊鼻腔造孔术治疗慢性泪囊炎明显提高了手术成功率,值得临床推广。     

鼻内镜下泪囊鼻腔吻合术治疗慢性泪囊炎

目的 探讨经鼻内镜泪囊鼻腔吻合术的方法与临床效果。方法 1991年11月-2006年3月采用鼻内镜下泪囊鼻腔吻合术治疗慢性泪囊炎患者144例（155眼）。回顾分析其临床资料，总结手术方法，观察临床疗效。结果 144例患者（155眼）术后随访1年，治愈率为87．7％（136／155），显效率4．5％（7／155），有效率1．9％（3／155），无效5．8％（9／155），总有效率94．2％（146／155）。结论 严格掌握手术适应证、熟悉有关解剖、牢记手术操作要点，鼻内镜下泪囊鼻腔吻合术是治疗慢性泪囊炎的一种有效方法，同时对鼻-鼻窦疾病的治疗及术后随访处理是提高鼻内镜下泪囊鼻腔吻合术疗效的有效手段。     

Manometric Measurement of Lacrimal Sac Pressure after Endoscopic and External Dacryocystorhinostomy

Objective—To evaluate endoscopic and external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) using a quantitative, objective functional tool. Material and methods—This study comprised 58 cases divided into 4 groups: healthy controls; patients suffering from epiphora due to nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction; patients who had undergone endoscopic DCR; and patients who had undergone external DCR. The lacrimal sac pressure was measured during blinking, forced blinking and the Valsalva maneuver using a polygraph. Results—Negative pressure was detected during blinking and forced blinking in all normal subjects and in most patients who had successfully undergone DCR. In contrast, positive pressure was detected in cases with epiphora and patients in whom DCR had failed. Negative pressure was higher after endoscopic than external DCR. During the Valsalva maneuver there were no pressure changes in normal cases and patients with epiphora. In contrast, positive pressure was detected after all of the successful procedures (being higher after external than endoscopic DCR) and in most of the patients in whom external DCR failed. Conclusions—In normal subjects, negative pressure is created during blinking. In cases with epiphora due to NLD obstruction, the lacrimal pump is affected but its function is restored after successful DCR. The suction power of the pump mechanism is more effective after endoscopic than external DCR.     

A comparison of endonasal with external dacryocystorhinostomy in revision cases

The objective is to compare the success rates of revision endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (END-DCR) with revision external dacryocystorhinostomy (EXT-DCR). The present retrospective study was conducted between January 2002 and July 2009. Seventy-four consecutive patients (17 males, 57 females) who had epiphora or recurrent dacryocystitis after a previous failed EXT-DCR procedure were enrolled in the study. The END-DCR group consisted of 43 patients (10 males, 33 females) who underwent 44 END-DCRs, whereas the EXT-DCR group included 31 patients (7 males, 24 females) who underwent 31 dacryocystorhinostomies (DCRs). Successful DCR was defined as relief of symptoms as demonstrated by saline irrigation at the last post-operative visit. Further nasal surgery was performed in 18 (40.9%) eyes in the END-DCR group. The average follow-up time for the END-DCR and EXT-DCR groups was 11 and 9?months, respectively. The success rate was 77.4% (24/31 DCRs) in the END-DCR group, and 84.1% (37/44 DCRs) in the EXT-DCR group. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding overall success (p?=?0.465). END-DCR is as safe and efficient technique as external approach with low complication rates in revision cases. END-DCR yields good esthetic and functional results and has a success rate similar to that of the external approach.     

Surgical success rate comparison in functional nasolacrimal duct obstruction: simple lacrimal stent versus endoscopic versus external dacryocystorhinostomy

Silicone tube intubation (STI) has been known as a standard treatment modality with functional nasolacrimal duct obstruction (FNDO). Recently, dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is suggested for FNDO treatment. However, there are no data for comparison according to the surgical types in FNDO patients. This study aimed to compare success rates of three different lacrimal drainage surgeries in FNDO patients. Consecutive patients (153 eyes) who were treated with surgical intervention due to FNDO were analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups according to the type of surgery undertaken: STI, endoscopic DCR (Endo-DCR), and external DCR (Ext-DCR). Symptomatic improvements in epiphora were evaluated using the following scoring system: 1, complete resolution (indicative of success); 2, partial resolution; and 3, no resolution or worsening of the condition. At months 3 and 6, the Endo-DCR group had the highest success rate (84.4 and 81.3 %), but there were no statistically significant differences in epiphora scoring among the patients. Epiphora was significantly improved after surgery by week 2 in the Endo-DCR group (p = 0.0339) and by week 3 in the STI group (p = 0.0161). There were no patients in the Endo- or Ext-DCR group with a score of 3 at month 6, but 4 of 6 (3.7 %) in the STI group had score of 3 at month 6 and underwent additional DCR for epiphora. Our results suggest that Endo-DCR offers the highest success rates in FNDO treatments in terms of the rapid and complete resolution of epiphora.     

经鼻内镜鼻腔泪囊开放术治疗慢性泪囊炎

目的 分析经鼻内镜鼻腔泪囊开放术治疗慢性泪囊炎的手术方式及治疗效果。方法 收治慢性泪囊炎患者30例,均行鼻内镜下泪囊开放术,术后行泪道冲洗,随访6~12个月,观察手术疗效。结果 手术均顺利进行,30例术中、术后均无并发症发生,治愈28例(93.3%),好转2例(6.6%)。结论 鼻内镜下鼻腔泪囊开放术视野清晰、无面部瘢痕,治疗慢性泪囊炎效果良好,符合外科手术微创和美容的要求。     

鼻内境泪囊鼻腔造孔术远期疗效随访

目的总结分析慢性泪囊病变患者鼻内镜下经鼻行泪囊鼻腔造孔术治疗的临床远期随访观察结果，探讨影响手术远期疗效的因素。方法对275例（310眼）慢性泪囊病变患者采用鼻内镜下经鼻行泪囊鼻腔造孔术。术前行泪囊碘油造影，手术在局部麻醉或全身麻醉下进行，根据泪囊大小或病变情况决定术终泪道放置泪道硅胶扩张管。术后随访包括鼻内镜检查处理、泪道冲洗及鼻腔局部糖皮质激素应用。结果随访3～60个月，随访超过1年（远期）者211例（230眼），治愈率75．3％，好转率11．7％，无效13．0％，总有效率87．0％。9眼术后1年发现自然泪道复通，但泪囊鼻腔造孔瘢痕闭锁。无手术并发症。结论鼻内镜下泪囊鼻腔造孔术远期效果较好。扩大造孔骨窗，减少黏膜损伤和手术创面，以及随访清创有助于提高手术成功率。鼻泪管黏膜在手术造孔引流后，有可能发生可逆性转变，重新发挥泪道的泪液排泄作用。     

Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy vs KTP 532 laser-assisted endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

Objectives  Advances in endoscopy and lasers have improved surgical management of chronic nasolacrimal duct obstruction. This is a preliminary comparison between standard and laser assisted endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). Study Design  Combined retrospective and prospective study. Setting  Tertiary referral hospital. Patients and Methods  Thirty-eight cases of chronic nasolacrimal duct obstruction underwent endoscopic DCR (26 standard and 12, laser-assisted) and were assessed at 3 and at 6 months postoperatively by nasal endoscopy. Results  Three months postoperatively (n=38), total relief of epiphora among the nonlaser group was 80.76 vs 75% in the laser group (P=0.982). At 6 months (n=19), the laser group had recorded 100% symptomatic relief compared to 85.71% in the nonlaser group (P=0.964). The laser group suffered fewer complications (33.33 vs 46.15% for nonlaser group). Conclusion  Lasers show promise in long-term management of duct obstruction and are associated with fewer complications. A larger study is required before and generalization is made.     

Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

The endonasal surgical approach of the lacrymal sac assisted by video-endoscopy is carried out today with high success rates. Despite the satisfactory results reached with the traditional external approach, it has the disadvantage of requiring a skin incision and a consequent local scar. With the development and enhancement of the endonasal techniques, the endoscopic approach is increasingly preferred by surgeons.ObjectiveThis paper reviews the lacrymal system anatomy, the preoperative assessment and the technical details of the endoscopic assisted approach which may provide better surgical outcomes for patients. We will also briefly discuss complications and causes for surgical failure.MethodologyThis is a review of the experience of the authors in the past 10 years of employing the endoscopic technique for the lacrymal sac surgery.ConclusionOutcomes regarding the endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy are, at leas, equal to those from the traditional external approach. Notwithstanding, the joint work between the otorhinolaryngologist and the ophthalmologist is of great benefit to patients with epiphora.     

鼻内镜下泪囊鼻腔造孔术

目的总结鼻内镜下泪囊鼻腔造孔术并探讨术后鼻泪管再通现象及其原因。方法36例(39眼)慢性泪囊炎患者,男7例(7眼),女29例(32眼),年龄23￣71岁,平均39.6岁,病程半年￣12年,均在局麻、鼻内镜下行泪囊鼻腔造孔术,随访亦在鼻内镜下进行,以黏膜表面麻醉为主。结果术后8￣10周术腔逐渐上皮化,35眼泪道冲洗通畅,溢泪及溢脓症状均消失;2眼冲洗通而不畅,需加压,有冲洗液溢出;2眼泪道冲洗不通,仍有溢泪及溢脓症状。总有效率94.5%(37/39)。鼻内镜下观察,冲洗通畅者造瘘口有液体流出。随访6个月部分病人(4眼)下鼻道原鼻泪管开口处冲洗时亦有液体流出。结论慢性泪囊炎病人在行鼻内镜下泪囊鼻腔造孔术后效果好,且部分病人鼻泪管可再通。     

Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy without stents

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to present our endoscopic DCR operation method without the use of silicone tubing and our results on the patients suffering from chronic epiphora with postsaccal stenosis. METHODS: Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy operations were performed to 21 sides of 18 patients who had chronic epiphora. No silicone tubing was used in any of the cases. In the postoperative healing period, the rhinostomy opening was maintained with frequent removal of nasal debris and using eyedrops. The patients were evaluated by fluoresceine test and endoscopic controls. RESULTS: Symptomatic improvement was achieved in 19 out of 21 sides of the patients (90.5%) and the results were confirmed by the fluoresceine test under endoscopic control. CONCLUSION: Our results of 21 sides of 18 cases underwent primary DCR without stents are as successful as those reported in the literature and the technique seems to be promising.