title: Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with flap suturing.
abstract: Multiple reports have demonstrated the efficacy of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). However the results of the same have varied from centre to centre. Many still regard external DCR as the gold standard. To describe an endoscopic DCR technique which anatomically simulates an external DCR and assess its results. Prospective, nonrandomized and noncomparative interventional case series. Clinical charts of patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction based on symptomatic, clinical and radiological basis were included in the study. All surgeries were done endonasally using standard operative technique. The modification in the standard technique included creating a wide exposure of the lacrimal sac, incising the sac and the suturing the medial wall of the lacrimal sac with the lateral nasal wall. The same was achieved by using either vascular clips or 5.0 vicryl sutures. Twenty (11 females and 9 males) were included in the study. The average age of the patients was 56.86 years old (range 27-85 years old). The main presenting symptom was epiphora and 1 patient with mucocele. Successful outcome was measured in terms of relief of sympto anatomical patency assessed by sac syringing and nasal endoscopy showing a wide patent lumen. A primary success rate of 95% and ultimate rate of 100% was achieved in the cases with a nasolacrimal duct (NLD) block while an overall success rate of 82.6% was noted when the cases with NLD block and common canalicular block were considered together. Endoscopic DCR can now easily replace external DCR as a standard. It is not only minimally invasive, but has minimal complications and using this technique, we have been able to achieve very high success rates.
authors.affiliation: P D Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Mahim, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Milind V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Kirtane
authors.affiliation: P D Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Mahim, Mumbai, India ; Kirtane Clinic, 1st Floor, Amar Bhuvan, French Bridge, Near Opera House, Mumbai, 400007 India.
authors.forename: Abhineet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lall
authors.affiliation: P D Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Mahim, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Kashmira
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chavan
authors.affiliation: P D Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Mahim, Mumbai, India ; Cumballa Hill Hospital, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Dhruv
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Satwalekar
keywords: Dacrycystorhinostomy; Dacryocystitis; Endoscopic surgical procedure; Lacrimal; Lacrimal apparatus; Lacrimal apparatus disease; Lacrimal duct; Lacrimal duct obstruction; Lacrimal gland; Mucocele