Long Term Results of Dacryocystorhinostomy in Adults

Chung, Sung Won; Chung, Young Jun; Kim, In Sang; Mo, Ji Hun

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of primary endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) or conjunctivo-dacryocystorhinostomy (CDCR) in adults with nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
We retrospectively reviewed 31 eyes of 27 patients who underwent primary DCR or CDCR for anatomical or functional blockage of the lacrimal drainage system (4 males, 27 females, mean age 54.4+/-12.7 years). The mean follow-up period was 45.4+/-10.8 months. The main outcome measure for success was assessed by symptomatic improvement. Pre-operative CT findings and endoscopic findings, sites of obstruction, types of surgery, post-operative complications were evaluated and the outcome was assessed according to the level of obstruction and types of surgery.
RESULTS
Two years after the surgery, the success rate was 83.9% including complete resolution of symptoms (64.5%) and partial improvement (19.4%). No improvement was reported in 16.1%. There was no significant difference in success rates of DCR according to the obstruction sites. Patients with functional blockage had worse success rate than those with anatomical obstruction.
CONCLUSION
Both endoscopic DCR and CDCR had successful outcome in the long term con-trol of epiphora and functional nasolacrimal duct obstruction showed worse prognosis when compared with anatomical obstruction.