Results of endocanalicular laser dacryocystorhinostomy with multi-diod laser

To evaluate the clinical outcome and efficacy of endocanalicular laser dacryocystorhinostomy using a multi-diode laser.Twenty eight patients (29 cases) with a history of epiphora due to nasolacrimal duct obstruction were treated with a multi-diode laser. The study was prospective, non-randomized, and non-comparative. The patients, 7 (24,14%) males and 22 (75,86%) females, ranged in age from 8 to 82 years (mean 32,9 ± 20,77). Surgery was performed under general or local anesthesia. All procedures were performed using a multi-diode laser. The nasal passage was visualized with a 30° nasal video endoscope. In all cases, silicone stents were inserted. Patients were followed meanly 9,1 ± 4,35 months. The main outcome measure was resolution or improvement of the epiphora and no major laser damage intranasally.The endocanalicular laser dacryocystorhinostomy remained patent in 25 of the 29 (86,2%) cases, and no complaints of tearing occurred. The four failures were caused by constriction of the mucosa at the osteotomy site. Of the failures, one case was secondary to trauma, and the others were due to primary nasolacrimal duct obstruction. External DCR was performed in three of the failed cases. In addition, in one case, the nasal osteotomy area was covered with fibrotic tissue. The nasolacrimal duct was opened by excising the fibrotic tissue via endonasal endoscopy. Eight of the cases were in the pediatric age group. None of the cases had obstruction after the endocanalicular laser dacryocystorhinostomy operation.Endocanalicular laser dacryocystorhinostomy using a multi-diode laser appears to be an effective technique with a low complication rate, and it is well tolerated by patients. Comparative studies are needed to evaluate its success