title: Endolacrimal KTP laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe our experience with potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy, controlled via endolacrimal and endonasal endoscopy. The development of miniendoscopes enables endoscopy of the lacrimal drainage system via the lacrimal puncta to visualize the exact site of a stenosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case series of 78 patients, with 1-year postoperative follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  A university medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive sample of 78 adult patients who required surgery for dacryostenosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endolacrimal use of a KTP laser to perform a bony osteotomy of the lacrimal sac into the nasal cavity. The position for the perforation was controlled by endonasal endoscopy. The procedure was performed under either general or local anesthesia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One year after surgery, 65 (83%) of the 78 patients were free of symptoms. Seven patients experienced intermittent tearing, and 6 had revision surgery because of restenosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The success rate of 83% achieved with KTP laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy, using miniendoscopes for lacrimal endoscopy to visualize the exact site of obstruction, is better compared with that of prior studies without the use of miniendoscopes (with success rates of 47%-85%). The advantages of this technique are that it is a minimally invasive procedure, requires a short operating time, and avoids use of an external incision.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 26, Austria. thiemo.hofmann@kfunigraz.ac.at
authors.forename: Thiemo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hofmann
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lackner
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Muellner
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Luxenberger
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wolf
mesh_terms: D003607:Dacryocystitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D019723:Endoscopes; D006801:Humans; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000150:complications; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome