Outcomes of endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy for intractable lacrimal dacryostenosis and associated factors.

Aim: To examine the effects of patient age, canalicular obstruction, mode of anesthesia, and duration of nasolacrimal intubation on the outcomes of endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).

Methods: Totally 56 eyes of 46 patients with prolonged epiphora underwent minimally invasive endoscopic endonasal DCR. A successful surgical outcome was defined as a significant improvement in symptoms, adequate water passage from the puncta to the nasal cavity, and patency of the DCR ostium. All outcomes were assessed at least 6mo after extubation. Fisher's exact test was used to discuss the factors, and then the logistic regression analysis was made by SAS 9.4 software.

Results: The overall success rate was 75.0%, and complete resolution was observed in 27 eyes. The success rate was higher for patients with ≥6mo intubation than for those with <6mo intubation. However, there were no significant differences in outcomes between groups stratified by age (<65 or ≥65y), presence or absence of canalicular obstruction, mode of anesthesia (local or general), and use or nonuse of a radiowave unit. One patient developed subcutaneous emphysema around the eye and nose and one developed subcutaneous hemorrhage after surgery.

Conclusion: Endoscopic endonasal DCR can be considered safe and minimally invasive with reasonable success rates, particularly when the duration of nasolacrimal intubation is ≥6mo.