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Updated: May 17, 2026

Transcanalicular Diode Laser-assisted Dacryocystorhinostomy for the Treatment of Primary Acquired Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction
Published on: October 13, 2017
Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy vs KTP 532 laser-assisted endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy
D R Nayak1, P Hazarika, R A W Rodrigues
1Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, 576104 Manipal, Karnataka India.
Objectives:
Advances in endoscopy and lasers have improved surgical management of chronic nasolacrimal duct obstruction. This is a preliminary comparison between standard and laser assisted endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).
Study Design:
Combined retrospective and prospective study.
Setting:
Tertiary referral hospital.
Patients And Methods:
Thirty-eight cases of chronic nasolacrimal duct obstruction underwent endoscopic DCR (26 standard and 12, laser-assisted) and were assessed at 3 and at 6 months postoperatively by nasal endoscopy.
Results:
Three months postoperatively (n=38), total relief of epiphora among the nonlaser group was 80.76 vs 75% in the laser group (P=0.982). At 6 months (n=19), the laser group had recorded 100% symptomatic relief compared to 85.71% in the nonlaser group (P=0.964). The laser group suffered fewer complications (33.33 vs 46.15% for nonlaser group).
Conclusion:
Lasers show promise in long-term management of duct obstruction and are associated with fewer complications. A larger study is required before and generalization is made.

