Study of success rates in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with and without stenting

Background: The dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery involves fistulization of the lacrimal sac into the nasal cavity. DCR is currently the main stay of treatment of nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction. It can be performed externally or endoscopically. Aim: To evaluate the success rates of endoscopic DCR with silicone stenting comparing to those with DCR without stenting in patients with epiphora who failed medical treatment. Material and methods: A retrospective study of 39 consecutive patients who underwent primary or revision endoscopic DCR with or without stenting was done at our hospital between January to July 2014. These patients were divided in two groups: Groups - A in which DCR was followed by stenting, Group ? B in which no stent placement was done. Results: There were more female patients ? 28 (71.79%) than male patients ? 11 (28.20%). The mean age was 40.44 years. Age range was 14?74 years. Both eyes were almost equally affected. Left eye was affected in 16 patients compared to 17 patients had right eye involvement. 6 patients had bilateral symptoms of which one eye was operated at a time. Revision cases included our own revision of endoscopic DCR without stenting 2 (5.12%) and of endoscopic DCR with stent 1 (2.5%). 4 of these patients had atrophic rhinitis, which was preoperatively controlled by appropriate medical treatment. 11 of these patients had deviated nasal septum in which 5 patients had undergone correction simultaneously. In our own revision cases of endoscopic DCR with stent, the cause was synechiae formation as simultaneous septoplasty with stenting was done. Revision cases of endoscopic DCR without stenting the causes were granulations and stoma closure. During revision surgery stenting was done. Conclusion: Endoscopic DCR is a simple, minimally invasive procedure. In our study, we concluded that endoscopic DCR with stent placement had good results. Regular follow up after endoscopic DCR is necessary. Endoscopic DCR with stent has several advantages over classical external approach.