Endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy--primary and secondary

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Otorhinolaryngology

Background:

• Lacrimal drainage obstruction affects quality of life.
• Previous external surgeries may fail, necessitating revision.
• Some patients prefer scarless surgical options.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of an endonasal approach for primary and secondary lacrimal drainage obstructions.
• To compare endonasal outcomes with traditional external approaches.
• To identify the benefits of endonasal surgery in revision cases.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a fibreoptic endonasal telescope and video monitoring.
• Employed specialized nasal and lacrimal instruments.
• Applied the technique to patients with primary (scarring history) and secondary (failed previous repairs) obstructions.

Main Results:

• The endonasal approach demonstrated high anatomical and functional success in both patient groups.
• In secondary obstructions, direct visualization and repair of causative factors were achieved.
• For primary obstructions, the main advantage was scar avoidance over external methods.

Conclusions:

• The endonasal approach is a highly successful method for treating lacrimal drainage obstructions.
• It is particularly advantageous for secondary repairs, allowing targeted intervention.
• Laser technology may enhance the utility of endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in primary cases.