Endonasal Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy (EESC-DCR) for Treatment of Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Samutsakorn Hospital

Abstract

Rationale: To study the surgical results of endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EESC - DCR) in 30 patients (34sites) of Samutsakorn hospital.

Methods:  Prospective study of 30 patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction in Samutsakorn hospital, were treated by EESC-DCR during January 2002 to August 2007. The study included the demographic data, duration before treatment, duration of silicone stenting, follow up time and surgical success rates.

Results: 30 patients (12 men, 18 women) were treated. The mean age was 64 years. The mean duration of symptoms before treatment, duration of silicone stent insertion, follow up time were 8 years, 90 days and 6 months respectively. The surgical functional success rates evaluated by patient saccal irrigations were 100% in this short term follow up period. Anatomic success with a patent nasolacrimal system was achieved in 32 of 34 operations (94%) by nasal endoscopic evidence. Overall symptomatic and anatomic success was seen in 28 of 34 operations (82%)

Conclusion : The surgical success rates of EESC-DCR were high (82%) equally to external DCR and EESC-DCR outcome in other reports. EESC-DCR may be an alternative treatment for patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction with advantages of preventing a scar on the skin and preserving the pump. function of the naslacrimal sac with equally surgical result as external approach.