ABSTRACT

Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic laser dacryocystorhinostomy for nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Methods:

Thirty-two eyes of 30 patients who underwent endoscopic laser dacryocystorhinostomy for nasolacrimal duct obstruction were retrospectively reviewed. All surgeries were performed using a multidiode laser with a transcanalicular approach. A bicanalicular silicone tube entubation was performed at the end of the surgery. Bicanalicular silicone tubes were extracted 8 weeks after the surgery. The success criteria were defined by the absence of epiphora and the determination of nasolacrimal duct patency by lacrimal system syringing.

Results:

The mean age of 18 female and 12 male patients was 39.4 years (range 18-70 years). The mean follow up was 8.2 months (range 4-12 months). The success rate was 87.5% (28 eyes). After treatment, 4 patients (12.5%) had granulomas in the rhinostomy area at follow up.

Conclusion:

Transcanalicular multidiode endoscopic laser dacryocystorhinostomy seems to be an effective surgical procedure for the treatment of lacrimal drainage system obstruction.