Publication:

A retrospective study analysis of success rate following endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy with stents

Background Endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (EN DCR) has now become a procedure of choice for nasolacrimal duct obstruction or in chronic dacryocystitis. Lots of debate is still going on regarding stent placement following surgery. The purpose of this study is to analyse the subjective and objective success following EN DCR with stents.

Methods In this single centre study, 30 patients underwent EN DCR surgery from May 2011 to March 2013, out of those 20 eligible patients with 26 nasolacrimal duct obstructions underwent EN DCR with stents, and they were included in the study. Success rates were determined with subjective assessment of the patient symptoms and objective evaluation by lacrimal syringing.

Results 80.7% patients underwent primary surgery and 19.2% patient’s revision surgery, overall success rates was 88.4% out of which 95.2% success rate for primary surgery and 60% success rates of revision surgery. 11.5% of patients complained of persistent symptoms and success rate of ENDCR with stents was observed in 95.2% of patients after primary surgery and in 60% of patient’s after revision surgery. Stent removal was done on 4-6 weeks (mean duration- 5 weeks) and patients follow up time was 6 months.

Conclusions Whether to stent or to not still remain a topic of debate in EN DCR surgery, however ENDCR with stents represents the procedure of choice for treating nasolacrimal duct obstructions.