Surgical Outcomes of Endonasal Revision Surgery for Failed DCR According to Number of Silicone Tubes

PURPOSE: To evaluate the causes of failed dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and the effects of transcanalicular diode laser-assisted endonasal revision surgery according to the number of silicone tubes. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients (70 eyes) who underwent revision surgery using transcanalicular diode laser for failed primary endonasal DCR at Sungmo Eye Hospital between March 2007 and December 2012 were studied retrospectively. The causes of failed DCR and the time of recurrence were evaluated. The revision surgeries were endoscopic removal of granuloma and membrane and synechiolysis with intubation of 1 or 2 silicone tubes. We compared the results of revision surgery with 1 silicone tube and 2 silicone tube intubations. RESULTS: Recurrence occurred after a mean duration of 4.6 months following the first DCR. The causes of surgical failure were granuloma (35 eyes), membranous obstruction (23 eyes), synechia (7 eyes), and functional obstruction (5 eyes). We performed revision surgery with 1 silicone tube intubation in 45 eyes (group A) and 2 silicone tube intubations in 25 eyes (group B). The final success rates in groups A and B were 75.6% (34/45) and 84% (21/25), respectively (chi-square test, p = 0.828). CONCLUSIONS: Transcanalicular diode laser-assisted endonasal revision surgery with 2 silicone tubes is not recommended.

The Effects of Transcanalicular Diode Laser-Assisted Revision Surgery for Failed Dacryocystorhinostomy

PURPOSE: To determine the intranasal causes of failed dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and the effects of transcanalicular diode laser-assisted revision surgery. METHODS: Twenty-four patients (29 eyes) who underwent revision surgery for a failed DCR at the Department of Ophthalmology, Ansan Hospital, Korea University between March 2009 and February 2011 were included in the present retrospective study. The intranasal causes of failed DCR, the time of symptoms such as epiphora and discharge after DCR, success rates of revision surgeries and follow-up periods were evaluated. RESULTS: Membranous obstruction was found in 25 eyes (86.2%) and was accompanied with granuloma in 10 eyes; these were the most common causes of failed DCR. The mean time for symptom development after DCR was 14.6 months, the success rate of the first revision surgery was 82.1% and good results were obtained in 5 eyes after the second revision surgery. Recurrence developed in 2 eyes, but symptoms improved after the lateral tarsal strip procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Membranous obstruction was the most common intranasal cause of failed DCR and transcanalicular diode laser-assisted revision surgery produced good results. Additionally, in patients with persistent epiphora following anatomically-patent revisional surgery, lacrimal pump failure due to lower eyelid laxity should be considered and corrected.