A Comparative Study of Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy With and Without Stent Versus External DCR

Epiphora is an annoying symptom, embarrassing the patient both socially and functionally. The two widely accepted treatment modalities of epiphora resulting from obstruction of the nasolacrimal ductus are external and endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). To compare the outcome of endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with stent and without stent prospectively and to compare the outcome of endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with stent and without stent with external dacryocystorhinostomy retrospectively. This retrospective and prospective clinical interventional study was done in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Institute of Ophthalmology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, A.M.U., Aligarh from July 2012 to September 2017. 110 patients of epiphora participated in the study and were divided into three groups: Group I: Endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy with stent. Group II: Endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy without stent. Group III: External dacryocystorhinostomy. Out of them 60 patients were for Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (30 patients with stent and 30 patients without stent) and 50 patients were for External dacryocystorhinostomy. 71 (65%) were females while 39 (35%) were males (p < 0.05) with age ranging from ranging 8-60 years (mean 34.96 years) with predominance of symptoms in left eye (p < 0.01). A lower complication rate was observed in the endoscopic group, with minimal morbidity and shorter operative time compared with the external approach. Follow up was done at postoperative day 1st and 7th, at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 3 months for assessing complications of operation, symptomatic relief of epiphora and syringing for anatomical patency. In our study, Success rate was 93.30% in Group I and 96.60% in Group II while 90% in group III. The avoidance of a cutaneous scar has been a strong impetus to further the success and improve outcomes of endonasal DCR. Endonasal DCR without stent has lesser incidence of post-operative fibrosis and higher patient's acceptance.