Endoscopic DCR: How To Improve The Results

Since Toti described the initial dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) operation in 1904 many technical modifications have evolved (Becker in Ophthalmic Surg 19:419–427, 1988). Overall, three groups of procedures are currently practised; external DCR, endoscopic DCR with contact laser, and surgical endoscopic DCR without laser (Woog et al. in Am J Ophthalmol 116:1–10, 1993; Jokinen and Karja in Arch Otolaryngol 100:41–44, 1974. Many factors influence the outcome of these different approaches. The purpose of this study was to improve the long term surgical outcome in endonasal DCR. A retrospective analysis of more than 1,500 patients, who underwent primary endoscopic DCR, was done and specific small modifications were identified and applied in the next 108 cases showing an improvement in the results.