Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: : To evaluate the functional outcome of endonasal Laser DCR and to investigate factors affecting outcome. Methods: : 100 consecutive patients who underwent endonasal laser DCR were included in this study. All patients had syringing at their last visit following removal of tubes. Functional outcome was determined by symptomatic improvement reported by patients on telephonic interview. Patients not demonstrating symptomatic improvement were called back for repeat syringing. Data was analysed with SPSS 10 Software. Results and Conclusions: Symptomatic improvement: 58.3% were much better, 18.1% were better, 22.2% were unchanged and 1.4% were worse. Post-op syringing: 70.6% were patent, 23.5% were partially patent and 5.9% were blocked. The tube was left for a mean of 92.3 days, range being 0-160 days. The type of tube used made no significant difference to the symptomatic improvement. 77.8% of patients under 50 years of age reported significant improvement compared to only 55% of patients over 50 years demonstrating a trend towards better success rate in patients under 50 years of age. No correlation was found between age and Laser energy used. 13.5% patients underwent re-surgery, of which 62.5% showed symptomatic improvement as compared to 78.2% in those who underwent the primary procedure only. The main cause of failure was Septo-ostium adhesion and techniques to prevent this are discussed.
Keywords: laser • anatomy • cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye