Laser Transcanalicular Endonasal DCR

Abstract

Nasolacrimal duct obstruction is a common disorder which clinically manifests as epiphora. Many procedures have been described to bypass this obstruction, for example external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), endoscopic DCR with and without stents, Laser endoscopic DCR. Each of these procedures has its own success rates and complications. We did an analysis of all laser assisted endonasal DCR performed in our department from Feb 2006 to July 2009. In all we had operated 237 total cases out of which 203 were with normal endonasal DCR and 34 cases were Laser transcanalicular endonasal DCR (Laser DCR). Over all success rate was 92%(218 cases). In case of Laser assisted endonasal DCR the success rate was 70.3% (19 cases) with failure rate of 29.7% (8 cases) at three months follow-up. This preliminary study reveals that LASER DCR is associated with higher failure rates as compared to the normal endonasal DCR.