title: Analysis of functional and anatomic success following endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the concomitant perioperative procedures, the causes of nasolacrimal duct obstruction, the success rate, and the complications associated with endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (ENDCR).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this single-center retrospective study, 98 patients underwent 104 ENDCRs between January 1994 and February 2006. There were 78 patients with 84 nasolacrimal duct obstructions who were included in this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall functional success rate with improvement in symptoms was 94.9% for primary surgery (59 of 84 obstructions) and 63.6% for salvage surgery after failure of primary surgery performed in another hospital (25 of 84 obstructions). The mean follow-up time was 36.8 +/- 17.11 months. Primary surgery showed better results, with a complete success rate of 93.2%, than did salvage surgery, with a success rate of only 68%. Persistent symptoms, despite an open rhinostomy, were found in 1.7% of patients with primary surgery and in 12% of those with salvage surgery. Failure of ENDCR was observed in 3.4% of patients after primary surgery and in 20% after salvage surgery. We encountered only minimal perioperative complications, and these were essentially related to lacrimal intubation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because of the possibility of treating concomitant sinonasal disorders, the cosmetic advantages, and the excellent results, ENDCR represents the procedure of choice for treating nasolacrimal duct obstructions. The main challenge lies in the exact preoperative assessment, as well as postoperative evaluation in case of failure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zuercher
authors.forename: Jean-Jacques
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Tritten
authors.forename: Jean Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Friedrich
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Monnier
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult