PurposeTo compare success rates of external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and endoscopic endonasal DCR for acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO).DesignHistorical cohort study.Participants100 patients who underwent external DCR and 105 patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal DCR.MethodsA retrospective review of medical records of patients with acquired NLDO who underwent DCR from 2004–2010 was performed. Data regarding the lacrimal drainage system, eye examination, surgical outcomes, patient symptom control, and postoperative care were analyzed.Main outcome measuresSurgical success was defined by patient’s resolution of symptoms with patency on irrigation. Surgical failure was defined as no symptomatic reduction in epiphora and/or an inability to irrigate the lacrimal system postoperatively.ResultsA total of 205 patients underwent surgeries for acquired NLDO. The average age was 69 years, and 62.4% of subjects were female. Pooled results showed that both surgical approaches had similar success rates (endoscopic endonasal DCR 82.4% versus external DCR 81.6%; P = 0.895). Complication rates were low in both types of surgery. This included three patients with postoperative hemorrhage (two who had endonasal DCR surgery and one having external DCR surgery). This resolved with conservative treatment. Postoperative problems with lacrimal patency (including canalicular obstruction) occurred to 6.8% of endoscopic patients and 9% of those with the external DCR surgery. Of the 14 patients who had their silicone tubes fall out before the 2-month assessment, 10 were classified as failures (71%), in contrast to only a failure rate of 13.9% of those whose tubes were present for the recommended time. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01).ConclusionThe success rate of DCR for acquired NLDO in our group of patients was high overall with a low complication rate between the two types of surgery. There was no statistically significant difference between endoscopic and external DCR. Endoscopic surgery may have a benefit of preserving the lacrimal pump system and leaving no surgical scar. Patient preference and availability of each service should direct management. Hence endoscopic endonasal DCR surgery should be considered for primary treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Purpose To assess the subjective success and quality of life of adult patients post endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (EE-DCR) for acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Design Retrospective, questionnaire study performed at least 6 months post EE-DCR. Participants Hundred and ten of the 282 consecutive patients who underwent EE-DCR. Methods A standardised questionnaire (Glasgow Benefit Inventory, GBI) was used to analyse the quality of life. The questionnaire examines four parameters, providing total, subscale, social, and physical scores. Main outcome measures We aimed to assess patient experience following EE-DCR surgery. Total GBI scores range from À 100 to þ 100, the former reflecting maximal negative benefit and corresponding to subjective worsening of tearing and impact on quality of life. Any positive score reflects a satisfactory surgical outcome and þ 100 represents maximal positive benefit. A score of zero is no perceived benefit. Results The average age was 62 years, 63% were female. In three of the parameters measured, there was a subjective improvement post surgery: subscale score 22.16 (95% CI: 15.23-29.09), total score 15.04 (95% CI: 9.74-20.35), and social support score 4.67 (95% CI: 0.93-8.42). Physical health scored À 4.47 (95% CI: À 10.25 to 1.32). Secondary analyses demonstrate no statistical significance with respect to outcome whether a trainee or consultant performed the procedure. Younger patients (under split median of 63.5) had a better total score 19.04 (95% CI: 11.35-27.74) than those older than 63.5 years (11.04,