Comparing the results of external dacriocysytorhinostomy with endoscopic dacriocystorhinostomy performed in our clinic

Infections of the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal canal participitating in the drainage of tear is called dacriocystitis. In chronic dacriocystitis surgical interventions are inevitable to restore the continuing flow of tear to the nasal cavity. Comparasion of surgical interventions of external dacriocystorhinostomy and endoscopic endonasal dacriocystorhinostomy used in chronic dacriocystitis is aimed in this study.All of the patients recruited in the study are those who admitted to Gaziantep University Medical Faculty Department of Opthalmology. Only the patients with primary nasolacrimal obstruction are recruited into the study. This is a retrospective study in order to compare the outcomes of external and endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. Of the 115 patient who undergone to external dacriocystorhinostomy 83 (71.76%) were woman and 32 (28.24%) were man and the mean age was 47.26+/-11.46. Of the 135 patients who undergone to endoscopic endonasal dacriocystorhinostomy with bicanalicular silicone tube implantation procedure 98 (72.59%) were woman and 37 (27.41%) were man and the mean age was 46.9+/-11.69. Follow-up time was at least 6months and a maximum of 20 months with an average of 14 months in external dacriocystorhinostomy group. Follow-up time was at least 6 months and a maximum of 25 months with an average of 16 months in endoscopic endonasal dacriocystorhinostomy group.At the end of the follow-up period success rate was 92.17% (106 of 115) in external group and 91.85% (124 of 135) in endoscopic group. No statistically significant difference is found between success rates (p>0.05).External approach has disadventages of incision scar, risc of intra-operative hemorrhage, Endoscopic transnasal approach has the disadventages of need for equipment and skilled surgeon. To sum-up in cases in which ophthalmologists and otolaryngologists can work together endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy may be a good alternative. Also in revision cases endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy may be preferable.KEY WORDS: Dacriocystitis, External dacriocystorhinostomy, Endoscopic dacriocystorhinostomy, Dacriocystorhinostomy