Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes of powered endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) without the preservation of mucosal flaps for the management of acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients undergoing endoscopic DCR without mucosal flap preservation from May 2003 to October 2006 at a tertiary referral medical center. Twenty-seven procedures were performed on 20 patients with epiphora secondary to acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Main outcome measures were subjective improvement in epiphora and assessment of anatomic patency based on lacrimal irrigation.
Results: Mean follow-up was 16 months. Mild intermittent postoperative epiphora or complete resolution of epiphora was noted in 100% (27/27) of procedures; complete resolution was recorded in 93% (25/27) of procedures. Eighteen patients (25 procedures) were available for lacrimal irrigation at a mean of 16 months follow-up. Anatomic patency was confirmed in 100% (25/25) of procedures.
Conclusion: Our results with endoscopic DCR are comparable with previously published outcomes. These data suggest that successfully powered DCR may be performed without the preservation of mucosal flaps.