Results of Endonasal Laser-assisted Dacryocystorhinostomy

Paediatric laser DCR

“…Endoscopic laser DCR was first described in cadavers by Massaro et al (1990). Laser DCR (ELDCR) in adults has a 70-80 % success rate (Boush et al 1994;Sadiq et al 1997). The laser is fast, atraumatic, with no sutures and minimal bleeding.…”

“…50% had tube loss by one week. Boush et al (1994) carried out 53 ELDCR's on 42 adults. They report a success rate of 70% after one procedure.…”

“…Boush et al (1994) carried out postoperative intranasal endoscopy following ELDCR. They found the four primary causes of ostium closure to be: 1) primary ostium closure, 2) cicatrix formation with the middle turbinate, 3) cicatrix formation with the nasal septum, 4) formation of granuloma in the ostium.…”

“…The patient had persistent epiphora in the long term. Boush et al (1994) carried out infracture of the middle turbinate or middle turbinectomy if these structures obstructed the surgical access. However, this can provide a freshened surface for adhesion with the newly-formed osteotomy.…”

“…This is not significantly different from the success rate in adults. A more recent review of 258 external approach DCR's in children under the age of 16 reported a success rate of 96% (Hakin et al 1997) Endoscopic laser DCR has been reported in adults, with success rates of 70-80% (Boush et al 1994;Sadiq et al 1997). There are no reported studies of endoscopic laser DCR in children.…”