Endoscopic transnasal dacryocystorhinostomy -long-term results

Summary

Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) was successfully performed in 40 patients, with four patients having bilateral surgery. Follow-up data were obtained on 43/44 eyes using clinical notes and a patient questionnaire. Range of follow up was 1–46 months, with an average of 18 months (in nine patients follow up was at least 3 years). Epiphora was successfully relieved in 86% of patients and there was no evidence of a recurrence of nasolacrimal obstruction in the long term. Endoscopic DCR is a relatively quick and simple procedure with low morbidity, and as such is suitable for day case surgery. Satisfactory long-term results make endoscopic DCR an alternative to external DCR as primary surgical treatment for nasolacrimal duct obstruction. In cases of failed external DCR, or when epiphora is iatrogenic following surgery to the lateral nasal wall, a transnasal endoscopic approach is probably the treatment of choice.