title: Diode Laser-Assisted Endocanalicular Dacryocystorhinostomy: A Prospective Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of the diode laser in endocanalicular dacryocystorhinostomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, noncomparative, interventional case series using the diode laser for endocanalicular dacryocystorhinostomy in patients with tearing and nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Outcome measures included subjective tearing complaints and objective patency of the nasolacrimal system. Success was defined as improvement of symptoms with patency of nasolacrimal drainage. Patients were followed for 12 months. Institutional review board approval was obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty eyes (28 unilateral, 6 bilateral) underwent surgery. Five cases were excluded because of inadequate follow-up. Patients ranged in age from 27 to 88 years (66.7 ± 15.7). Seventy-seven percent were female and 23% were male. At 1 week, 88% had improvement in tearing, 12% had no change or worsening of symptoms, and all patients were patent on irrigation. At 1 month, 86% had improvement, 14% had no change, and all patients were patent on irrigation. At 3 months, 83% had improvement and were patent on irrigation. Seventeen percent had no change or worsening with reflux and were considered failures. At 6 months, 77% had improvement and were patent on irrigation. Five additional patients had no change, reflux on exam and were failed surgeries. At 12 months, 74% had complete resolution and were patent. One additional patient failed. Nine surgeries in 35 cases were considered failures by 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subjective complaints of tearing correlated with patency of the nasolacrimal system after 3 months. A success rate of 74.3% (26 out of 35 cases) was observed by 12 months.
authors: *Wayne State University School of Medicine, Kresge Eye Institute, Detroit, Michigan; †Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, Michigan; ‡Consultants in Ophthalmic and Facial Plastic Surgery, PC, Southfield, Michigan; §Robert Cizik Eye Clinic, Houston, Texas; and ‖Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
authors: Dianne M
authors: DM
authors: Schlachter
authors: Karina
authors: K
authors: Richani
authors: Evan H
authors: EH
authors: Black
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult