title: [Diaphanoscopic localization of tear ducts in endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy is a well established technique in the surgical treatment of stenosis of the lacrimal system. Due to individual anatomic variations it can be difficult and time consuming to localize the stenosis of the lacrimal system intraoperatively.
  
  
  METHODS
  To simplify the localization of the lacrimal system, a diaphanoscopic technique that has been used in oral surgery was modified for endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy. A sterile optical fiber is passed through the lacrimal canal from the eye into the lacrimal sac or down to the stenosis. Its light can be detected in the nose and marks the sac or the stenosis. To date we have performed twelve operations with this technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In our experience, endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy is simplified and accelerated by localizing the lacrimal system with diaphanoscopy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diaphanoscopic localization of the lacrimal system during endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy is a slight technical modification that is simple and helpful and could therefore be incorporated into the surgical routine.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hals- Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Medizinische Universität zu Lübeck.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Siegert
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weerda
mesh_terms: D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014172:Transillumination / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
vernacular_title: Die diaphanoskopische Lokalisation der Tränenwege bei der endonasalen Dakryozystorhinostomie.