Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy: long-term experience and outcomes

Abstract

Purpose: To report our experience in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy in treating nasolacrimal duct obstruction over a 14-year period. Methods: Retrospective case series carried out over a 14-year period from 1999 to 2014. A total of 624 endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy procedures were performed in 442 patients who were diagnosed with persistent epiphora. Participants: In total, 624 procedures in a total of 442 patients (<18 yo: 36 and >18 yo: 406) were included. Patients' records were assessed for demographics, intra- and postoperative complications, outcome and follow-up. Results: In total, 442 patients underwent an endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. There were 342 females (77.3%) and 100 males with a mean age of 50.2 years. All patients presented with epiphora: 33 congenital (7.5%), 357 acquired (80.7%) and 52 functional cases (11.8%). The adult dacryocystorhinostomy (n = 577) had an anatomical success of 90.1%. Children's group (<18 yo) n = 36 with a total of 47 procedures and an anatomical success of 91.5%. Functional cases (all adults – n = 52) showed a 91% benefit after operation. In 624 DCRs, we found a complication rate of 3.2%. Conclusion: Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy offers good success rates with a safety profile and efficacy equivalent to the traditional external approach is an effective treatment with good outcome results in adults and children with persistent or functional epiphora.