title: A comparative study of transcanalicular diode laser supported endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy and non-laser endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary surgical procedure for nasolacrimal duct obstruction is dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). The purpose of this study was to compare non-laser endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (NL-EnDCR) and transcanalicular diode laser-supported endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (TDLS-EnDCR).
  
  
  METHODS
  The data of patients who underwent DCR with the diagnosis of epiphora and chronic dacryocystitis between the years 2010 and 2016 were examined retrospectively. The patients who underwent NL-EnDCR and TDLS-EnDCR were included in the study. Success of the procedure was defined as the complete disappearance of epiphora, and lack of anatomical occlusions with lacrimal serum irrigation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  74 patients who met the study criteria were included in the study. 39 patients (21 males and 18 females) who underwent TDLS-EnDCR were assigned as Group 1, and their mean age was 46 (33-64). 35 patients (18 males and 17 females) who underwent NL-EnDCR were assigned as Group 2, and their mean age was 48 (24-81). In the postoperative follow-ups, no watering of the eyes was demonstrated in 34 (87.2%) out of 39 patients in Group 1 (TDLS-EnDCR), and 22 (62.9%) out of 35 patients in Group 2 (NL-EnDCR), and that the newly formed ostium was clear with serum irrigations. A statistically significant difference in success rate was observed between the two groups (p=0.028).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The TDLS-EnDCR procedure was more successful than NL-EnDCR with respect to the outcomes assigned. Use of transcanalicular diode laser in endoscopic DCR may increase the success of endoscopic DCR.
authors.affiliation: Medical Sciences University, Training and Research Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Konya, Turkey. Electronic address: gultekinovet@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gültekin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Övet
authors.affiliation: Medical Sciences University, Training and Research Hospital, Department of Oftalmology, Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yasar
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakarya
authors.affiliation: Medical Sciences University, Training and Research Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Şentürk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult