Learning Curve for Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine the learning curve of dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) performed by a single oculoplastic surgeon after one year of fellowship training. METHODS: This retrospective review study comprised nasolacrimal duct obstruction patients that underwent endonasal DCR at our hospital between February 2006 and February 2008. The patients that completed at least six months of follow-up were included in the analysis. Exclusion criteria were patients less than 20 years of age and NLD obstructions due to malignancy or canalicular obstructions. Success was defined as duct patency on syringing at the final follow-up and no complaints of epiphora. RESULTS: Out of 161 eyes, the overall surgical success rate was 83.2% (134/161 eyes) and the mean postoperative follow-up period was 6.5 months (6-18 months). Success rates gradually increased as follows 71.2% (37/52 eyes) for the first group, 88.7% (47/53 eyes) for the second group, and 89.3% (50/56 eyes) for the third group (second and third group compared to first group, p = 0.025, p = 0.017, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: To ensure high DCR success rates, the novice surgeon should perform at least 50 surgeries.