Long-term results in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy: is intubation really required?

Objective: The long-term (median follow-up eight years) results of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy approach and silicone intubation were evaluated by various aspects.

Study Design: Case series with planned data collection of 38 procedures for postsaccal stenosis were analyzed.

Subjects And Methods: Silicone intubation was not used in 19 of the randomly selected procedures. Anatomical and functional surgical success was evaluated subjectively and objectively.

Results: The patients' complaints improved in 84.2 percent of eyes in the intubation group, and in 94.7 percent of the group without intubation, with a mean follow-up of 112 and 96 months after surgery, respectively. Postoperative endoscopic examinations revealed that the rhinostomy opening was visible in 17 sides with intubation (89.5%) and 18 sides without intubation (94.7%).

Conclusions: Considering the similar surgical success rates, and disadvantageous factors such as granulation formation, patient discomfort, and cost related to intubation, we recommend endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy without intubation as the treatment of choice in cases of chronic epiphora due to postsaccal stenosis of the lacrimal drainage system.