Long-term outcomes after endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy without mucosal flap preservation.

Objective: A growing body of evidence demonstrates that endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (eDCR) techniques provide comparable results to conventional external techniques. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term outcomes after powered endoscopic DCR without preservation of mucosal flaps for the management of acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction performed by a single surgical team.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients with epiphora secondary to acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction who underwent eDCR without mucosal flap preservation from May 2003 to April 2013 at a tertiary referral medical center. Main outcome measures were subjective improvement in epiphora and assessment of anatomic patency based on lacrimal irrigation and endoscopic evaluation.

Results: Eighty patients (69 primary and 11 revision) totaling 103 procedures (87 primary, 16 revision) were available for analysis at a mean follow-up of 28.7 (range 6-114) months. At the most recent follow-up, 92 of 103 (89.3%) procedures had complete resolution of epiphora, and 10 of 103 procedures achieved mild intermittent epiphora. Complete resolution of epiphora was noted in 93.1% (81 of 87) of primary procedures and 68.8% (11 of 16) of revision procedures. Objective anatomic patency was confirmed in 98% (101 of 103). A revision procedure was required in 5.8% (6 of 103).

Conclusion: Outcomes of powered eDCR without the preservation of mucosal flaps compare favorably to previously reported results in the literature. These long-term results suggest that mucosal flap preservation is not required to achieve successful outcomes with eDCR.

Level Of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 130:12-17, 2020.