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Updated: Apr 18, 2026
Transcanalicular Diode Laser-assisted Dacryocystorhinostomy for the Treatment of Primary Acquired Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction
Published on: October 13, 2017
[Minimally invasive lacrimal duct surgery with a multimodal concept for functional lacrimal stenosis]
B Stemplewitz1, S Amin2, K-H Emmerich3
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term success rates of a multimodal concept for treating functional nasolacrimal duct obstruction (FNLDO) consisting of minimally invasive lacrimal duct surgery and additional treatment of the conjunctiva, the puncta or the lids if necessary.
Methods:
Clinical outcomes and subjective symptoms of 118 consecutive patients with the main diagnosis FNLDO were studied in a retrospective design.
Results:
Of the 118 cases 64 % were treated by microendoscopy and microdrill only while 36 % needed additional treatments. In 76 % of all cases (82 % in the group of patients who were treated by microdrill only) the patients reported their symptoms to have "improved" after a median follow-up of 14 months. Up to the age of 70 years more women were affected by FNLDO, while it was more common among male patients above this age. In older patients additional treatment especially tightening of the lids was required more frequently.
Conclusion:
Transcanalicular microendoscopy of the lacrimal duct alone or in combination with additional treatments, if needed, showed satisfactory long-term outcomes in patients suffering from FNLDO and can be considered a valuable and minimally invasive option for these patients.
