Y-shaped silicone tube intubation with balloon in dacryocystorhinostomy

The proven Y-shaped intubation system was modified by adding an inflatable balloon to hold open the anastomosis between the lacrimal sac and the nasal cavity after DCR procedures. Through an integrated tube the balloon can be inflated separately, and thus prevents stenosis in the newly formed anastomosis, especially in patients in whom previous operations were unsuccessful.     

Selective non-intubation of a silicone tube in external dacryocystorhinostomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether silicone tube insertion is always necessary in external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). METHODS: During external DCR for primary nasolacrimal duct obstruction carried out between January 2001 and October 2004, silicone intubation was not performed selectively if the lacrimal sac was large and the nasal cavity was not severely narrowed. RESULTS: Of a total of 166 DCR cases in 153 patients, no silicone tube was placed in 74 eyes of 69 patients (44.6%). Anatomic patency of rhinostomy was achieved in all non-intubation group eyes. However, four (6.7%) of these 69 eyes showed persistent epiphora even with anatomic patency. CONCLUSIONS: Silicone tubing can be avoided in about 50% of cases of external DCR without detrimentally affecting the success rate. Cases in which intubation was avoided had a large lacrimal sac and a wide nasal cavity.     

鼻内窥镜下鼻腔泪囊吻合置管治疗慢性泪囊炎合并鼻泪管阻塞

目的：探讨鼻内窥镜下鼻腔泪囊吻合置管治疗慢性泪囊炎合并鼻泪管阻塞的疗效。
　　方法：选取2011-12/2014-12我院收治的慢性泪囊炎合并鼻泪管阻塞患者70例70眼,随机分为对照组与研究组,对照组患者行鼻内窥镜下鼻腔泪囊吻合术治疗,研究组患者行鼻内窥镜下鼻腔泪囊吻合置管术治疗,对比两组患者术后1、6、12 mo时治疗总有效率及瘘口面积。
　　结果：术后1mo,对照组患者治疗总有效率97%与研究组100%,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);术后6mo,研究组患者总有效率97%与对照组77%,差异有统计学意义( P<0.05);术后12mo,研究组总有效率94%明显高于对照组71%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组患者术后1mo瘘口面积对比无统计学意义(P>0.05),研究组患者术后6、12 mo瘘口面积大于对照组,差异有统计学意义( P<0.05)。结论：慢性泪囊炎合并鼻泪管阻塞患者行鼻内窥镜下鼻腔泪囊吻合置管治疗的效果显著。     

Agger nasi cell mucosal autograft for lacrimal sac reconstruction during endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy

A mucosal autograft composed of agger nasi cell mucosa was used to reconstruct the lacrimal sac mucosa in a young woman with a cicatrised lacrimal sac and obstructed nasolacrimal system. The patient had undergone a previous external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), dacryocystectomy and revision mechanical endonasal DCR. There was persistent epiphora and at further mechanical endonasal (MEN) DCR it was noted that only a small cuff of lacrimal sac mucosa around the common canaliculus was present. To achieve a mucosal anastomosis, the agger nasi cell mucosa was removed from the cell and placed as a free mucosal graft around the common canalicular opening. Apposition with the nasal mucosa was completed with flaps from the lateral nasal wall mucosa. Postoperatively, the patient is asymptomatic with a freely draining ostium at 18 months of follow-up.     

泪道扩张引流管植入联合鼻腔泪囊造孔术与改良鼻腔泪囊吻合术的疗效对比

目的:比较鼻内窥镜下泪道扩张引流管植入联合鼻腔泪囊造孔术与改良鼻腔泪囊吻合术治疗慢性泪囊炎的疗效。方法:回顾性分析2008-03/2011-03来我院136例136眼慢性泪囊炎患者手术治疗的效果,其中行鼻内窥镜下泪道扩张引流管植入联合鼻腔泪囊造孔术66例,行改良鼻腔泪囊吻合术70例,均为单侧慢性泪囊炎。结果:鼻内窥镜下泪道扩张引流管植入联合鼻腔泪囊造孔术治愈60例,好转5例,无效1例,治愈率达90.9%,有效率达98.5%;改良鼻腔泪囊吻合术治愈64例,好转4例,无效2例,治愈率达91.4%,有效率达97.1%。采用χ2检验,两组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:鼻内窥镜下泪道扩张引流管植入联合鼻腔泪囊造孔术与改良鼻腔泪囊吻合术治疗慢性泪囊炎的疗效接近,但鼻内窥镜下泪道扩张引流管植入联合鼻腔泪囊造孔术无需面部皮肤切口,创伤小,出血少,值得推广。     

Routine histopathologic evaluation of the lacrimal sac during dacryocystorhinostomy: how useful is it?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of "routine" lacrimal sac biopsy to evaluate unsuspected neoplasm or systemic disease in patients with acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. DESIGN: Noncomparative, interventional case series with histopathologic correlation. PARTICIPANTS: Review of charts revealed histopathologic reports on 302 specimens from 258 patients who had undergone routine dacryocystorhinostomy for clinical acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. INTERVENTION: Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with histopathologic evaluation of lacrimal sac. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The following variables were extracted from the medical records: age, gender, presenting symptoms, history of predisposing conditions, lacrimal system abnormalities noted before surgery, dye disappearance test, dacryocystogram or dacryoscintillogram, appearance of the lacrimal sac during surgery, and histopathologic report of the lacrimal sac specimen. RESULTS: Findings of histopathologic evaluation of 302 lacrimal sac specimens from 170 females and 88 males who had undergone routine DCR were reviewed. Evidence of systemic disease or neoplasia involving the lacrimal sac was present in 10 specimens. All 10 positive specimens had a grossly abnormal appearing sac at the time of surgery (n = 8), a known preexisting history of systemic diseases (n = 6), or both. The remaining 292 specimens showed chronic inflammation, fibrosis, or normal mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: Only patients with known preexisting systemic disease or a grossly abnormal lacrimal sac had "positive" histopathologic findings. We recommend that lacrimal sac biopsy in patients undergoing DCR should be performed only in those with a positive history for systemic disease or an abnormal-appearing lacrimal sac during surgery.     

Dacryocystorhinostomy for dacryocystitis caused by methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus: report of four cases

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the outcome of dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) for dacryocystitis caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). CASES: Four otherwise healthy patients with dacryocystitis caused by MRSA were studied (3 with chronic dacryocystitis; 1, acute dacryocystitis). Ophthalmic symptoms were epiphora with purulent discharge in 2 cases, with blepharoconjunctivitis in 1 case, and with lacrimal fistula in 1 case. Culture of the purulent discharge from the affected conjunctival sacs revealed MRSA infection. Initial treatment, which was unsuccessful, included intravenously administered common antibiotics, the use of topical antibiotics and povidone-iodine in the conjunctival sac and mupirocin ointment in the nasal cavity. Subsequently, standard DCR was performed with a bicanalicular silicone tube inserted under local anesthesia, accompanied by the administration of common antibiotics. OBSERVATION: Cultures from all patients were negative for MRSA as soon as 4 days after DCR. None of the patients had epiphora with pus, and the lacrimal passage became patent postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Dacryocystitis due to MRSA was resistant to conservative therapy. DCR subsequent to the conservative therapy resulted in almost immediate resolution of the lacrimal fistula and nasolacrimal obstruction, rapid control of dacryocystitis, and a decrease in the period of MRSA infection in the conjunctiva and the nasal cavity.     

Outcome of external dacryocystorhinostomy combined with membranectomy of a distal canalicular obstruction

PURPOSE: To investigate the accuracy of the preoperative evaluation in identifying a membranous obstruction of the distal canaliculus and the success rate of an external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) when membranectomy of the canalicular obstruction is also performed. DESIGN: Retrospective, interventional case series. METHODS: The surgical records of the lacrimal cases operated at Moorfields Eye Hospital between January 1997 and December 1999 were reviewed. All the patients with evidence of a membranous block of the canalicular opening into the sac identified and excised during the course of a standard DCR procedure with silastic intubation and a minimum follow-up period of 12 months were selected for this study. The records were analyzed for preoperative evaluation with syringing and probing, surgical details, outcome, and complications. RESULTS: In 59 (85%) cases a functional anastomosis was established after tube removal. Additionally, 5 cases (7%) had patent system but required later ectropion repair and considered successful. Only 4 (6%) patients needed further lacrimal surgery, and one was referred to the ENT department for nasal polyps. The silastic tube was removed at a mean period of 6 weeks (SD = 4; range, 2-24 weeks), and the mean follow-up period was 13 months (SD = 3; range, 12-29 months). The preoperative evaluation failed to identify the membranous obstruction in 30 (43%) cases, which were correctly diagnosed intraoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: In our series the anatomic success rate of 92% after DCR with membranectomy is comparable to the outcome of the DCR procedure. The distal canalicular membranous obstruction is an anatomic factor that may lead to surgical failure if not identified and excised.     

Analysis of the results of surgical endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy: effect of the level of obstruction

AIM: One of the main factors in determining success rate of lacrimal surgery is the level of obstruction in the lacrimal drainage system. There are only few reports which quantify this, and none on endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). METHODS: A case series of patients who had endoscopic DCR for anatomical obstruction of the lacrimal drainage system was performed. All patients who had lacrimal blockage referred to a district general hospital, irrespective of the level of blockage, had endoscopic DCR as the initial treatment by the authors. A total of 191 endoscopic DCRs were performed between 1994 and 1999. No other forms of lacrimal surgery were performed during this period. The level of the obstruction was assessed by the ophthalmologist before the operation and confirmed at surgery. All cases were followed up for a minimum of 6 months, and 96 cases were also reviewed 12 months after surgery. The outcome of the endoscopic DCR operation for each eye was categorised into complete cure, partial cure, or no improvement according to the degree of symptomatic relief following the operation. RESULTS: Complete relief from epiphora was achieved in 89% of cases overall at 6 months. The success rate in cases with lacrimal sac/duct obstruction (93%) or common canalicular blockage (88%) was comparable. In canalicular obstruction, however, the complete cure rate was lower at 54%. The benefit of the operation was maintained at 12 months. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the success rate of surgical (non-laser) endoscopic DCR is comparable to that reported for external DCR. Moreover, the technique is appropriate for initial treatment of patients with common canalicular or even canalicular obstruction.     

改良式外路泪囊鼻腔吻合术联合泪道置管治疗泪囊黏液囊肿

目的:探讨改良的外路泪囊鼻腔吻合术式联合泪道置管治疗泪囊黏液囊肿的临床疗效.方法:对23例(23眼)泪囊黏液囊肿行改良式泪囊鼻腔吻合术,并联合泪道置管,术后行泪道冲洗,并观察泪溢情况.结果:23例患者,1例术中改为泪囊摘除术,20例完成12个月的追踪观察治疗,1例术后6个月失访,1例12个月时失访.随访1个月,22例患者术后泪囊囊肿均消失,外观明显改善;随访12个月,20例患者中18例溢泪症状完全消失,所有患者泪道冲洗通畅,仅1例患者因泪溢症状对手术疗效不满意.结论:改良式外路泪囊鼻腔吻合术联合泪道置管治疗泪囊黏液囊肿,具有良好的临床效果,值得推广.     

Outcome of patients with nasolacrimal polyurethane stent implantation: do they keep tearing?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of nasolacrimal polyurethane stent implantation for the treatment of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction and the effects of obstructed nasolacrimal stent on subsequent dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). METHODS: This study was designed as a nonrandomized, prospective clinical trial. Stent implantation was attempted in 53 obstructed lacrimal drainage systems of 47 patients. Stent placement was performed in a retrograde fashion through the external nare over a guide wire, which was introduced from the upper punctum. Occluded stents were removed either with nasal endoscopy or during DCR. External DCR surgery with silicone intubation was performed in cases with stent failure. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 23.4 months. The success rate of stent implantation was 60.4%, 37.5%, and 31.2% at 6-, 12-, and 18-month follow-up, respectively. Stent obstruction developed in 33 eyes. Twenty underwent external DCR with silicone intubation. During DCR surgery, varying degrees of chronic inflammatory reaction were detected in the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct. The mean follow-up period after DCR was 10.3 months. Epiphora was relieved with DCR in all but one eye. CONCLUSIONS: The success rate of nasolacrimal polyurethane stent implantation for the treatment of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction is low and may induce inflammation and fibrous tissue formation. Although this may cause further difficulties in subsequent lacrimal surgery, epiphora could be relieved with meticulous technique.     

Endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy with mucosal flaps

PURPOSE: To describe a new endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) technique and assess its efficacy. DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized interventional case series. METHODS: A prospective series of 44 consecutive endonasal DCRs performed from January 1999 to December 2000 was entered into the study. The new technique involved creation of a large bony ostium and mucosal flaps to create an anastamosis between the lacrimal sac mucosa and nasal mucosa. Patients presenting with naso-lacrimal duct obstruction based on symptomatic, clinical, and radiologic grounds were included in the study. Patients who had undergone previous lacrimal surgery were excluded. Surgery was performed by two surgeons (A.T., P.J.W.) using a standardized operative technique. Patient demographics, presentation, examination findings, surgical and anesthetic data, postoperative success, complications, and follow-up were evaluated. Success was defined as anatomic patency as well as relief of symptoms as assessed by fluorescein flow on nasendoscopy, lacrimal syringing, and patient examination. Intubation of the lacrimal apparatus was performed in all operations and the tubes usually removed at 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively. After removal of the tubes follow-up was 13 months (mean, 12.9 months; range, 9-28 months; standard deviation [SD], 6.1 months). RESULTS: There were 36 patients (12 male/24 female) who underwent 44 endonasal DCRs. The average age of the patients was 62.9 years old (range, 15-86 years old; SD, 19.1 years) and the main presentation was with epiphora (93%) and/or mucocoele (33%). In 13 operations (30%) a septoplasty was required at the time of surgery, and in 10 operations (23%) further endoscopic sinus surgery was performed in conjunction with the DCR. Anatomic success with a patent nasolacrimal system was achieved in 40 of 44 operations (91%). Symptomatic and anatomic success was seen in 39 of 44 operations (89%). Five of the DCRs were classified as failures. In one DCR the patient was symptomatic despite a patent nasolacrimal system and well-healed ostium. In two DCRs preoperative medial canalicular problems were noted. In two DCRs scarring and fibrosis of ostium were noted. CONCLUSIONS: This new technique of endonasal DCR involves creation of a large ostium and construction of nasal and lacrimal sac mucosal flaps. Its anatomic success rate (91% or 40 of 44 DCRs) compares favorably with the success rate of other techniques for endonasal DCR and is also similar to the success of external DCR. Experience in endoscopic nasal surgery is important in endonasal DCR surgery, as other ancillary procedures may be required within the nose at the time of surgery.     

A “Miniprobe” for Use in Dacryocystorhinostomy Surgery

A simplified and relatively atraumatic method is described for placing a silicone tube stent through the lacrimal drainage system during a dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). Two short, pliable metal probes (“mini probes”) are attached to the ends of a length of silicone tubing. After the lacrimal sac and nasal mucosa have been incised, the probes carry the tubing through the lacrimal canals and the operative wound and down into the nasal cavity. After routine DCR the stent is left for three weeks to ensure a patent drainway. Excess scar or other conditions may suggest longer retention.     

The pathogenesis and treatment of lacrimal obstruction: The value of lacrimal sac and bone analysis

INTRODUCTION . The cause of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) has not been fully elucidated. In an attempt to determine the role of an inflammatory etiology, the pathology of nasolacrimal sac and bone specimens was assessed and correlated with clinical lacrimal variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS . Lacrimal sac and bone tissues from patients with known NLDO were sampled at the time of external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). Histopathological analysis was carried out to determine the presence and degree of inflammatory changes present in the tissues, and to correlate them with the clinical presentation. RESULTS . Of 104 cases analyzed, bony inflammatory changes were seen in 14% and lacrimal sac inflammatory changes in 94%. All cases of bony inflammation had accompanying lacrimal sac inflammation. The inflammatory changes were independent of the following variables: gender, duration of symptoms, a history of dacryocystitis, the presence of a lacrimal sac mucocele, the location of obstruction, and the presence of lacrimal sac calculi. CONCLUSIONS . Inflammatory changes are almost invariably present in all patients with NLDO. Its occurrence in bone is probably secondary to lacrimal sac inflammation. Although attempts are made to perform DCR surgery only in the absence of lacrimal sac inflammation, almost all cases exhibit subclinical inflammation. This may suggest that bypassing this ‘critical area’ of the sac-duct junction, as in a dacryocystorhinostomy, would be more reasonable than to re-canalize through an inflammatory obstruction.     

泪囊鼻腔吻合术吻合方式选择的探讨

目的探讨泪囊鼻腔吻合术的吻合方式选择及手术技巧。方法通过对135例（152眼）慢性泪囊炎和单纯鼻泪管阻塞,术中根据泪囊的大小和泪囊与鼻黏膜距离分为3组,分别行3种不同的吻合方式。术后随访6—12个月,观察手术效果。结果治愈126眼（82．89％）,好转21眼（13．82％）,无效5眼（3．29％）。结论根据泪囊的大小和泪囊与鼻黏膜距离,选择泪囊鼻腔吻合术的吻合方式,更为合理有效。     

The pathogenesis and treatment of lacrimal obstruction: The value of lacrimal sac and bone analysis

INTRODUCTION. The cause of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) has not been fully elucidated. In an attempt to determine the role of an inflammatory etiology, the pathology of nasolacrimal sac and bone specimens was assessed and correlated with clinical lacrimal variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Lacrimal sac and bone tissues from patients with known NLDO were sampled at the time of external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). Histopathological analysis was carried out to determine the presence and degree of inflammatory changes present in the tissues, and to correlate them with the clinical presentation. RESULTS. Of 104 cases analyzed, bony inflammatory changes were seen in 14% and lacrimal sac inflammatory changes in 94%. All cases of bony inflammation had accompanying lacrimal sac inflammation. The inflammatory changes were independent of the following variables: gender, duration of symptoms, a history of dacryocystitis, the presence of a lacrimal sac mucocele, the location of obstruction, and the presence of lacrimal sac calculi. CONCLUSIONS. Inflammatory changes are almost invariably present in all patients with NLDO. Its occurrence in bone is probably secondary to lacrimal sac inflammation. Although attempts are made to perform DCR surgery only in the absence of lacrimal sac inflammation, almost all cases exhibit subclinical inflammation. This may suggest that bypassing this 'critical area' of the sac-duct junction, as in a dacryocystorhinostomy, would be more reasonable than to re-canalize through an inflammatory obstruction.     

The treatment of lacrimal apparatus obstruction with the use of an inner canthal Jones tube insertion via a transcaruncular route

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical utility of the lacrimal bypass surgery using Bowman's probe in treatment of obstruction of the lacrimal apparatus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study evaluated 124 cases of obstruction of the lacrimal passage systems with mean epiphora of 2.7 years. An incision was made on the side of the caruncle, and the lacrimal bone was penetrated between the lacrimal sac and the nasal mucosa by Bowman #0. Insertion of a Jones tube was made at the new lacrimal pathway, a puctum dilator or scissors was introduced through the caruncle and dilated across the lacrimal bone into the nasal cavity. The Jones tube was introduced over the probe into the nasal cavity, and fixed at the caruncle with nonabsorbable suture material. RESULTS: Complete resolution of epiphora was accomplished in 120 (96.8%) of 124 eyes; only 4 (3.2%) eyes failed during a mean of 17.1 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: This procedure is simple and safe with no facial scarring, short operation time, high success rate, and can be performed under local anesthesia. Therefore, the clinical utility of this procedure seems to be of value in treatment of complicated obstruction of the lacrimal apparatus.     

Clinicopathological Study of Lacrimal Sac Specimens Obtained During DCR

Purpose: To determine the histopathologic characteristics of lacrimal sac specimens in adult patients undergoing external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) for acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Methods: A total of 471 lacrimal sac biopsies were obtained from 449 patients undergoing external DCR for symptoms or signs of acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction and examined histopathologically.

Results: A total of 449 subjects including 283 (63%) female and 166 (37%) male subjects with mean age of 50.02 years underwent DCR and histopathologic examination of specimens. Presenting symptoms were epiphora in 411 patients (91%), history of acute dacryocystitis in 17 patients (4%) and obstruction revealed during ophthalmic examinations in 21 patients (5%). Histopathologic findings included: chronic inflammation in 450 patients (95.5%), fibrosis in 18 patients (3.8%), lymphoma in two patients (0.4%) and reactive lymphoid hyperplasia in one patient (0.2%). Lacrimal sac appearance during surgery was grossly abnormal in two cases: one case of lymphoma and one instance of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia.

Conclusions: Chronic inflammation and fibrosis are the most common histopathologic findings in lacrimal sac specimens obtained during DCR. Only two cases of lymphoma (0.4%) were encountered in the series, one of which had a suspicious lacrimal sac appearance during surgery while the other case (0.2% of all specimens) was unsuspected. The rate of malignant etiology for NLD obstruction is low enough to justify lacrimal sac biopsy only in suspicious cases.     

External dacryocystorhinostomy: Double-flap anastomosis or excision of the posterior flaps?

PURPOSE: To compare the results of external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), using two different patterns of flap anastomosis with creation of both sac and nasal mucosal anterior and posterior flaps: one that includes suturing of both flaps and the other that involves excision of the posterior flaps. METHODS: This randomized, clinical trial included 63 consecutive patients undergoing DCR. Patients were alternately assigned to two groups on the basis of the pattern of flap anastomosis. An H-shaped incision was created in the lacrimal sac and the nasal mucosa in all patients. In group A, posterior and anterior flaps were separately approximated; in group B, only the anterior flaps were sutured after resection of both posterior flaps. Postoperative hemorrhage, epiphora, and patency of the tract were assessed on follow-up visits. Final scores and success rates of the two groups were compared by using the Mann-Whitney U and chi. RESULTS: The mean length of follow-up was 10.87 +/- 4.75 months for all patients. One patient in group B was lost to follow-up. The difference between the groups in postoperative bleeding, epiphora, and patency scores was found to be statistically insignificant (p = 0.451, p = 0.974, p = 0.583, respectively). The final success rates in groups A and B were 93.75% and 96.67%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in success rate between the groups (p = 0.593). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that DCR with double-flap anastomosis has no advantage over DCR with only anterior flaps. Anastomosis by suturing only anterior flaps and excision of the posterior flaps is easier to perform and does not appear to adversely affect the outcome of DCR surgery.     

Success rate and complications of endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy with unciformectomy

Background

Endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) has been widely used to treat nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Here, we evaluated the anatomical advantages of the uncinate process as a landmark and to study the effect of unciformectomy on success rate and complications of endonasal DCR .

Methods

In total, 288 eyes of 265 adult patients who underwent endonasal DCR between January 2003 and February 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. The eyes were classified into two groups, according to whether unciformectomy was performed or not. All surgical procedures and surgical indications were the same except unciformectomy and endonasal DCR was performed by one surgeon. Unciformectomy was performed by resecting the anterior part of uncinate process.

Results

One hundred and eighty-six eyes of 168 patients received endonasal DCR with unciformectomy, and 102 eyes of 97 patients received endonasal DCR alone. The average success rate of endonasal DCR with unciformectomy was 97.8?% and that of endonasal DCR alone was 90.2?%, with statistically significant difference (Student's t-test, p-value?<?0.05). There were 14 eyes with post-operative nasolacrimal obstruction, caused by granuloma in five eyes, intranasal synechia in two eyes, membranous obstruction in six eyes, and canalicular stenosis in one eye. There were no serious complications such as orbital fat prolapse, cerebrospinal fluid leak, or delayed hemorrhage.

Conclusions

Anterior resection of the uncinate process gives improved access to the lacrimal bone by exposing the medial aspect of the lacrimal fossa and forming the precise location of the osteotomy on the lacrimal bone during endonasal DCR. Thus, the uncinate process can be used as an anatomical landmark for endonasal DCR. The unciformian endonasal DCR improves operation success rate by allowing access to the large space of the nasal cavity and reducing the synechiae of the nasal cavity.