title: Diode laser-assisted transcanalicular dacryocystorhinostomy: the effect of age on the results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore the effect of age on the success of transcanalicular diode laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy (TCDCR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy patients (70 eyes) who underwent transcanalicular diode laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy for the treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction as a primary surgery were included in this retrospective, nonrandomized study. The patients were divided into two groups according to age. Mean ages were 21.3 ± 3.3 in group 1 and 60.3 ± 7.3 in group 2. The records of the 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up examinations were evaluated, and the anatomical and functional outcomes were noted. Functional success was defined as the absence of epiphora as indicated by the patient. Anatomical success was determined as patency of the neo-ostium with irrigation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the 3-month follow-up, 67% cases in group 1 showed anatomical success and 52% showed functional success; in group 2, the rates were 100% and 92%, respectively. Functional and anatomical success rates were the same for both the 6- and 12-month visits; 46% in group 1 and 76% in group 2. The results in group 2 were significantly better at all three follow-up visits (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study clearly showed that the older patients experienced better transcanalicular diode laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy results than the younger patients. The diminished inflammatory response in the older population may be a possible contributing factor to these results.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Department, İzmir Military Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fahrettin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Akay
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Department, Erzurum Military Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ilhan
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Department, Siirt Military Hospital, Siirt, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ümit
authors.initials: Ü
authors.lastname: Yolcu
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Department, Gülhane Military Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatih C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Gundogan
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Department, İzmir Military Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yıldıray
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Department, İzmir Military Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Toyran
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000150:complications; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000628:therapy*; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011184:Postoperative Period; D065840:Protective Factors; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012828:Silicones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012828:Silicones