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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
Transcanalicular Diode Laser-assisted Dacryocystorhinostomy for the Treatment of Primary Acquired Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction
Published on: October 13, 2017
Endoscopic revision of external dacryocystorhinostomy failure
O Choussy1, A Retout, J P Marie
1Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Rouen University Hospital-Charles Nicolle Rouen, France. olivier.choussy@chu-rouen.fr
Objective:
To evaluate the usefulness of endoscopic analysis and surgery of the lacrimal sac in cases of external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) failure.
Material & Method:
In a retrospective study, 17 endoscopic procedures in 17 patients during 11 years with recurrent lacrimal obstruction after external DCR were performed. Endoscopic analysis and procedures were carried out with a routine silicone tube catheterization for 3 to 6 months.
Results:
In 13 patients, scar tissue was the cause of the obstacle, while in 3 patients an unsuitable location of the ostia and in 1 case an inflammatory polyp were found. After a long-term follow-up (56 months), the epiphora was controlled in 94% of the cases. The mean delay between the first DCR and the recurrence of epiphora was 22 months.
Conclusion:
A persistent or recurrent epiphora can be explored after an external procedure and treated by endoscopic procedure. The endonasal approach for DCR was considered safe, and effective particularly in patients with unsuccessful external DCR.