Objectives: To systematically review and discuss the published results about the application of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy in treating children with nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
Methods: In October 2014 an appropriate string was run on PubMed to retrieve all relevant articles. A cross-check was performed by two of the authors on abstracts and full-text articles found using the selected inclusion and exclusion criteria. A non-comparative meta-analysis concerning the procedures' rate of success and failure was performed.
Results: Fourteen studies were identified comprising a total of 346 subjects affected by nasolacrimal duct obstruction (unilateral or bilateral). Overall there were 393 surgical procedures, all performed with an exclusive endoscopic approach. The average length of follow-up was reported in twelve studies resulting 15.2 months and ranging from 3 to 27.1 months. On the basis of our statistical analysis the mean (95% CI) rate of failure was 0.14 (0.09-0.21). The mean (95% CI) rate of success resulted 0.87 (0.80-0.91).
Conclusions: Although in young patients the nasal anatomy is more complex and narrow than in adults our review showed as the endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy allows similar results in terms of success compared to the external approach.
Keywords: Children; Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy; Epiphora; Lacrimal drainage; Nasolacrimal duct obstruction; Probing.
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