Endoscopic laser dacryocystorhinostomy

Laryngoscope. 1994 Mar;104(3 Pt 1):269-74. doi: 10.1288/00005537-199403000-00005.

Abstract

Endoscopic laser dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) enables an obstructed lacrimal sac to be opened through an intranasal approach, avoiding the need for a skin incision. The holmium:yttrium aluminum garnet (holmium:YAG) laser is well-suited for this procedure because of its properties of fiberoptic delivery, effective bone cutting, and precise soft-tissue coagulation. Efficient bone ablation is particularly important for primary DCR which requires removal of relatively thick bone along the lateral nasal wall to expose the lacrimal sac. Forty-six endoscopic laser DCRs were performed on 40 patients. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The surgery successfully relieved lacrimal obstruction in 85% of patients. Endoscopic instrumentation allowed for the rapid identification and correction of intranasal causes of DCR failure, including ethmoid sinus disease and middle turbinate hypertrophy. Endoscopic laser DCR appears to be a safe and effective procedure which should be considered as an alternative to external DCR for the surgical treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Dacryocystorhinostomy* / methods*
  • Endoscopy
  • Female
  • Holmium
  • Humans
  • Laser Therapy / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Yttrium

Substances

  • Yttrium
  • Holmium