Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy: long-term experience and outcomes.

Abstract

To report our experience in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy in treating nasolacrimal duct obstruction over a 14-year period. Retrospective case series carried out over a 14-year period from 1999 to 2014. A total of 624 endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy procedures were performed in 442 patients who were diagnosed with persistent epiphora. In total, 624 procedures in a total of 442 patients (<18yo: 36 and >18yo: 406) were included. Patients' records were assessed for demographics, intra- and postoperative complications, outcome and follow-up. In total, 442 patients underwent an endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. There were 342 females (77.3%) and 100 males with a mean age of 50.2years. All patients presented with epiphora: 33 congenital (7.5%), 357 acquired (80.7%) and 52 functional cases (11.8%). The adult dacryocystorhinostomy (n=577) had an anatomical success of 90.1%. Children's group (<18yo) n=36 with a total of 47 procedures and an anatomical success of 91.5%. Functional cases (all adults - n=52) showed a 91% benefit after operation. In 624 DCRs, we found a complication rate of 3.2%. Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy offers good success rates with a safety profile and efficacy equivalent to the traditional external approach is an effective treatment with good outcome results in adults and children with persistent or functional epiphora.