Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy: Four years experience at the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile

Abstract

Introduction: Open dacryocystorhinostomy is the gold standard for the treatment of nasolacrimal obstruction, pathology manifested as chronic epiphora, recurrent dacryocystitis and conjunctivitis. Since the development of endonasal approach, it has been considered as an alternative therapy with notable advantages over the open technique and offers the possibility to correct other abnormalities of the nose and paranasal sin­uses in the same surgical time. Aim: To evaluate the results of endoscopic surgical technique according to the reality of the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile, during the years 2010-2014. Deter­mine the etiology of the obstruction in patients undergoing surgery. Material and method: A retrospective cohort study was performed with review of clinic files of patients diagnosed with lacrimal duct obstruction submitted to an endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. 27 patients were included and 33 surgeries were performed, as 22.2% of them (6/27) underwent bilateral intervention. Results: Objective and subjective surgical success occurred in 75,8% (25/33) and 65,4% (17/26) respectively. 7,4% (2/27) had intraoperative complications (false pas- sage and orbital fat extrusion) and 18,5% (5/27) postoperative complications (fibrosis and synechiae). Among the causes are: idiopathic 66,7% (18/27), postraumatic 14.8% (4/27), history of radioiodine use 11.1% (3/27), Wegener’s granulomatosis 3.7% (1/27) and congenital 3.7% (1/27). Probe Installed was kept for an average of 3,5 months, and the follow-up was performed for 7,4 months. Conclusions: Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy is an excellent surgical tool for the management of patients with nasolacrimal obstruction. It’s a successful procedure, with low rate of complications and good postoperative outcome, recommended for those cases with poor response to medical therapies.