title: Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy vs KTP 532 laser-assisted endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Advances in endoscopy and lasers have improved surgical management of chronic nasolacrimal duct obstruction. This is a preliminary comparison between standard and laser assisted endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Combined retrospective and prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary referral hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-eight cases of chronic nasolacrimal duct obstruction underwent endoscopic DCR (26 standard and 12, laser-assisted) and were assessed at 3 and at 6 months postoperatively by nasal endoscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three months postoperatively (n=38), total relief of epiphora among the nonlaser group was 80.76 vs 75% in the laser group (P=0.982). At 6 months (n=19), the laser group had recorded 100% symptomatic relief compared to 85.71% in the nonlaser group (P=0.964). The laser group suffered fewer complications (33.33 vs 46.15% for nonlaser group).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lasers show promise in long-term management of duct obstruction and are associated with fewer complications. A larger study is required before and generalization is made.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, 576104 Manipal, Karnataka India.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Nayak
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hazarika
authors.forename: R A W
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pillai
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Balakrishnan
keywords: Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy; KTP 532 laser