The Clinical Effect of Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy in the Treatment of Acute Dacryocystitis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical effect of endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy as a primary treatment of acute dacryocystitis with lacrimal sac abscess formation. METHODS: The study comprised 14 patients with acute dacryocystitis and lacrimal sac abscess formation who underwent endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy as a primary treatment. Postoperative evaluations included symptoms of acute dacryocystitis, physical examination, and lacrimal irrigation. Success was defined as the absence of epiphora and good lacrimal irrigation at the last follow-up. RESULTS Of the patients, two were male and twelve were female. The mean age was 54.7 years and mean follow-up period was 8.3 months. Resolution of symptoms and signs of acute dacryocystitis occurred in all patients. In one patient, recurrence of acute dacryocystitis occurred 6 months after surgery. At last follow-up, epiphora and failure of lacrimal irrigation had developed in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: Endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy is considered a safe and effective primary treatment of acute dacryocystitis with lacrimal sac abscess formation.