Evaluation of Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy Success Rate in Patients with Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction (2015-18)

Any factor that disrupts the tear duct can cause epiphora, one of the most prevalent causes for patients to go to ophthalmology clinics. Nasolacrimal duct obstruction can be congenital or acquired. Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery, which can be operated using external or endonasal approaches, is the standard treatment for nasolacrimal duct obstruction. This study was carried out to assess the success rate of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy surgery for patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

This descriptive study was carried out on 38 patients (29 females and 9 males), aged over 18 with an average age of 43.07±13.83, suffering from epiphora referring to 5 Azar Hospital in Gorgan (Iran) between 2015 and 2018. The success rate of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy surgery for epiphora treatment was evaluated 6 months after the surgery. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of the complications of the surgery and the connection to the CT scan results, endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy surgery was assessed.

The surgery was successful for 36 patients (94.74%). The extent of the nasolacrimal duct obstruction of the right eye and the left eye was measured at 63.2% and 36.8%, respectively. Slight and heavy bleeding during the surgery was observed in 76.3% and 7.9% of the cases, respectively. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage and orbital injury during the surgery were not seen in the patients. According to the CT scan findings, deviation of the septum was seen in 76.3% of the patients, while septoplasty was operated on in 41.37% of the patients during the surgery. Moreover, half of the patients were suffering from chronic sinusitis for whom, the involved sinuses were opened and sinuses drainage was performed.

Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy surgery is an acceptable and successful method for treating epiphora, especially for patients with sinusitis or nasal septum deviation.