title: [Minimally invasive lacrimal duct surgery with a multimodal concept for functional lacrimal stenosis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term success rates of a multimodal concept for treating functional nasolacrimal duct obstruction (FNLDO) consisting of minimally invasive lacrimal duct surgery and additional treatment of the conjunctiva, the puncta or the lids if necessary.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical outcomes and subjective symptoms of 118 consecutive patients with the main diagnosis FNLDO were studied in a retrospective design.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 118 cases 64 % were treated by microendoscopy and microdrill only while 36 % needed additional treatments. In 76 % of all cases (82 % in the group of patients who were treated by microdrill only) the patients reported their symptoms to have "improved" after a median follow-up of 14 months. Up to the age of 70 years more women were affected by FNLDO, while it was more common among male patients above this age. In older patients additional treatment especially tightening of the lids was required more frequently.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transcanalicular microendoscopy of the lacrimal duct alone or in combination with additional treatments, if needed, showed satisfactory long-term outcomes in patients suffering from FNLDO and can be considered a valuable and minimally invasive option for these patients.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stemplewitz
authors.affiliation: Augenklinik, St. Josefs-Hospital, Universität Witten/Herdecke, Hagen.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amin
authors.affiliation: Augenklinik, Klinikum Darmstadt GmbH.
authors.forename: K-H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Emmerich
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gesser-Wendt
authors.affiliation: Augenklinik, St. Josefs-Hospital, Universität Witten/Herdecke, Hagen.
authors.forename: H-W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Meyer-Rüsenberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome