TRANSNASAL ENDOSCOPIC DACRYOCYSTORHINOSTOMY

• Main Authors: Brigita Drnovšek Olup, Jernej Podboj, Matej Beltram
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Slovenian Medical Association 2004-05-01
• Series: Zdravniški Vestnik
• Subjects: lacrimal surgery; nasolacrimal duct stenosis; external dacryocystorhinostomy; dacryocystitis
• Online Access: http://vestnik.szd.si/index.php/ZdravVest/article/view/2323

<p>Background. We present our experience with transnasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.</p><p>Patients and methods. We treated 95 patients with lacrimal duct insufficiency from June 2000 to February 2003. The most frequent cause of nasolacrimal duct obstruction was chronic inflammation. We inserted a light probe through the inferior canalliculus to transilluminate the area of the lacrimal sac. We anaemized the region over the lacrimal sac and the attachment of the middle nasal concha and corrected nasal septum deviation were indicated. We coagulated and removed the mucosa over the transilluminated area, the bony wall and the medial portion of the lacrimal sac. After haemostasis, we placed silicone tubes through both canalliculi and fixed its ends with metallic clips. We finally introduced a Merocel tampon in the middle nasal meatus for two days. The silicone tubes remained in place for 3 to 4 months.</p><p>Results. We observed no serious complications. The silicone tubes remained in place for 3 to 4 months. Follow up period ranged from 8 to 40 months. We noticed recurrence of symptoms in seven patients.</p><p>Conclusions. Transnasal endoscopic DCR is a contribution to the development of endoscopic surgery technique. Its success rate is comparable to or even better than external DCR, according to other and our own study. Transnasal endoscopic DCR is a simple and successful procedure and well tolerated by the patients.<br /><br /></p>