Endocanalicular diode laser dacryocystorhinostomy for nasolacrimal duct obstruction: short-term results of a new minimally invasive surgical technique.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the results, complications, effectiveness, and operative results of the endocanalicular laser dacryocystorhinostomy (ECL DCR) in the distal obstructions of the lacrimal drainage system.


METHODS
Sixty eyes of 57 patients who had a diagnosis of distal obstruction of the lacrimal drainage system were evaluated retrospectively in this study. All patients underwent ECL DCR by diode laser between October 2008 and July 2009. Forty-nine patients (86%) were females, 8 patients (14%) were males, and age distribution was between 3 and 84 years old (median, 40 y). The canaliculi were intubated by a silicone tube. The patency of the nasolacrimal system was controlled by lacrimal lavage, loss of epiphora, and endoscopic evaluation of the endonasal rhinostomy site with routine follow-up scheduled at first day and 1-week, 1-month, and 3-month postoperative intervals.


RESULTS
After the 60 ECL DCRs, 10 patients underwent revision ECL DCR because of the persistent epiphora. The patency of the nasolacrimal duct or the decrease of the symptoms was assigned as success. There were no symptoms at all in 83.3% of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The ECL DCR in the treatment of the distal obstructions of the lacrimal drainage system was easily tolerated by the patients, cosmetically preferred because there was no incision and scar formation with high success rates, and a minimally invasive alternative technique.
Aknet Center of Ophthalmology, Konya, Turkey.
Muammer
M
Özçimen
Ismail Onder
IO
Uysal
Mehmet Akif
MA
Eryılmaz
Ali
A
Kal
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003607:Dacryocystitis / Q000601:surgery; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D053685:Laser Therapy; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult