Endoscopic t-tube application in inferior dacryocystorhinostomy

ABSTRACT

Nineteen patients diagnosed as having nasolacrimal duct obstruction were included in this study. Endoscopic diode laser assisted DCR with minimal bone work was done for all cases, then T-tube was applied to maintain the patency of the ostium instead of the silicone intubation. At the end of six months 15 out of 19 patients were relieved of their symptoms completely, while four patients continued to have persistent epiphora. The success rate was about 79%. Endoscopic diode laser assisted DCR with otologic T-tube application compares favorably with silicone stenting described in the literature. This technique has the following advantages Easy, T-tube is a cheap, self-retaining stent, less granulomatous reaction, can be done under local anesthesia, less operative time, less intra-operative bleeding, less postoperative morbidity faster patient recovery, the procedure can be repeated and bilateral cases can be performed in the same setting: