Abstract
Purpose:
To evaluate the postoperative sequelae of primary endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (eDCR).
Methods:
65 patients (80 eDCRs) were surveyed postoperatively regarding side effects from eDCR surgery. Symptoms evaluated included ophthalmic (tearing, mucous, air reflux) and nasal/sinus symptoms. Air reflux was evaluated for correlation with tearing and other variables.
Results:
The most common sequela from surgery was air reflux from the puncta (36 cases, 45.0%). 55.6% of these patients experienced symptoms only “rarely”, while 8.3% had symptoms daily. Air reflux was most commonly associated with nose blowing (66.7%). Success of eDCR correlated with presence of air reflux (p<0.0315). All patients with air reflux preferred having air reflux to epiphora. Epistaxis was present in 6 cases (7.5%) and nasal congestion in 25.0%. The postoperative period ranged from 8 to 66 months.
Conclusions:
Treatment for epiphora with endoscopic eDCR has a high success rate with few side effects. The presence of air reflux correlates with the success of eDCR and is minimally bothersome to patients.
Keywords: 462 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications •
631 orbit