title: Conventional dacryocystorhinostomy in a failed Trans-canalicular laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy.
abstract: We report the success rate and problems associated with conventional dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in failed cases of Trans-canalicular, laser-assisted DCR (TCLADCR). Out of 50 patients operated by the TCLADCR technique during the period 2005 - 2006, 33 patients had failure, which was confirmed on syringing of the nasolacrimal passage. Before considering them for conventional DCR, a thorough ear, nose, throat (ENT) examination was done by an ENT surgeon, to rule out a nasal pathology. All the patients were operated by the conventional standard DCR method at a medical college. While performing the surgery, the problems that came across were identified and noted. The success rate was found to be 91% in this study in a follow-up period of one year, with no major intra-operative problems. Conventional DCR is still a gold standard and should be considered as a procedure of choice in failed cases of TCLDCR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur - 440 009, India. jrajesh5@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Rajesh Subhash
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Joshi
mesh_terms: D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome