Endonasal laser dacryocystorhinostomy

ABSTRACT

The nasal lacrimal apparatus is intimately related to the lateral nasal wall and may readily be approached using an endoscopic technique. Endoscopic laser assisted lacrimal surgery is a new technology, which was applied in our patients. The studied group included 10 patients [7 females and 3 males] ranging in age from 6 to 66 years. The main symptoms were epiphora and discharge. The main site of obstruction was at the nasolacrimal duct [determined by the dye test and dacryocystography]. Laser was applied under general anesthesia to evaporate the nasal mucosa opposite the lacrimal sac, ablate the under lying bone and excise the medial wall of the lacrimal sac. The patients were followed up for one year. The patients maintained a patent opening and had no recurrence of epiphora. The technique avoids a cutaneous scat and causes less surgical trauma and bleeding without major complications