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Transcanalicular Diode Laser-assisted Dacryocystorhinostomy for the Treatment of Primary Acquired Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction
Published on: October 13, 2017
Permanent Lacrimal Duct Injury After Sinus Surgery and Endoscopic Management
Feng Xu1, Yingjie Ma2,3, Guangming Zhou2,3
1Department of Ophthalmology, The First Hospital of Putian, Putian, China.
Annals of Plastic Surgery
|August 4, 2026
Summary
Permanent lacrimal duct injuries (LDI) after sinus surgery cause epiphora. Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR) effectively treats these injuries, with high success rates for restoring tear drainage.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Surgical Complications
Background:
- Permanent lacrimal duct injuries (LDI) are a potential complication following sinus surgery.
- Epiphora (watery eyes) is a common symptom of LDI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on permanent lacrimal duct injuries (LDI) after sinus surgery.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR) in managing these injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for patients with epiphora post-sinus surgery (Jan 2018 - May 2023).
- Analysis included demographics, diagnostic irrigation/probing, CT dacryocystography (CT-DCG), En-DCR interventions, and outcomes.
- 31 patients with permanent LDI were included.
Main Results:
- 29/31 patients had complete lacrimal duct obstruction; 2/31 had partial obstruction.
- CT-DCG showed nasolacrimal duct (NLD) bone defects and obstructions at the NLD or NLD-dacryocyst junction.
- En-DCR achieved 90.32% anatomic success and 80.65% functional success.
Conclusions:
- Permanent LDI is a significant complication of sinus surgery.
- Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR) is a viable and effective treatment for post-sinus surgery LDI.
