title: Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy seems promising for lacrimal stenosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acquired nasolacrimal drainage obstruction (ANLDO) is a common ophthalmic problem with symptoms like epiphora and dacryocystitis. The standard surgery for ANLDO is dacrocystorhinostomy (DCR) in which the lacrimal sac is connected directly to the nose. There are two types of DCR, external (exDCR) and endonasal (enDCR). Our aim was to determine the total outcome of enDCR and specifically to analyze the success rate in relation to obstruction levels as there only have been few former reports on these aspects.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review was performed at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at the Hospital of Holstebro in the 2005-2010 period. All patients were evaluated by an ophthalmologist before surgery. The ophthalmologist categorized the site of obstruction as proximal (from punctum to the end of the common canaliculus) or distal (saccus and the nasolacrimal duct). The need for additional nasal surgery was evaluated by an otorhinolaryngologist. The surgical outcome was evaluated at the second follow-up six months after surgery and the subjective improvement and the patency of the neo-ostium were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 61 operations were performed of which 55 were included. The success rate after enDCR was 91%. Categorizing the level of obstruction, 41% were distal of which 92% were successful, and 59% were proximal of which 90% were successful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest enDCR for both distal and proximal stenosis of the lacrimal system as the obstruction level seems to have no influence on the success rates.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
authors: Øre-næse-halskirurgisk Afdeling, Regionshospitalet Holstebro, 7500 Holstebro, Denmark. annelouisebach@dadlnet.dk
authors: Anne Louise Bach
authors: AL
authors: Christensen
authors: Pernille Oversø
authors: PO
authors: Hansen
authors: Bjarne Gobert
authors: BG
authors: Jørgensen
authors: Torben
authors: T
authors: Autzen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000601:surgery; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome