The Long-term Results of Transcanalicular Dacryocystorhinostomy with Diode Laser

1. Sang Un Lee M.D.
2. Heeyoung Chung M.D.
3. Sojin Hong M.D.
4. Myungjin Kim M.D.

Hangil Eye Hospital, Incheon, Republic of Korea

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of the transcanalicular laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy (TCL-DCR) using diode laser for patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO).

Methods: We analyzed 72 patients (77 eyes) who had undergone TCL-DCR between May 2004 and April 2010. Functional success rate and anatomic success rate were evaluated and the causes of failure were analysed.

Results: The anatomic success rate and the functional success rate in primary TCL-DCR were 73.9% (51/69) and 62.3% (43/69), respectively. The causes of failure were membranous obstruction 50.0%, granuloma formation 38.9%, synechia formation 5.6%, canalicular stenosis 5.6%. The anatomic success rate and the functional success rate were 62.5% (5/8) and 50.0% (4/8) in secondary TCL-DCR.

Conclusions: The TCL-DCR is a simple and safe treatment modality with an advantage of short operation time, fast recovery and can be applied in narrow nasal cavity although it has a relatively low success rate compared to conventional surgery.