The efficacy and reliability of transcanalicular multi-diod laser dacryocystorhinostomy

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and reliability of transcanalicular multidiode laser dacryocystorhinostomy in creating a patent lacrimal system in patients with chronic dacriocystitis.Materials and Methods: Seventy eyes of 65 patients operated with the diagnosis of chronic dacryocystitis in our clinic between september 2008 and march 2012 were included in the study retrospectively. 51 (72,86%) of the subjects were female and 19 (27,14%) of the subjects were male (p=0.009). Mean age was 50.6 ± 17,3 years (18 ? 84 years). If there were nasal pathologies like septal deviation or chonchal hypertrophy on examination that could block surgery, septoplasty or choncha resection was performed. Transcanalicular multidiode laser DCR and silicone tube intubation was performed using 0° nasal video endoscope to all subjects.Results: Mean time for transcanalicular laser DCR surgery was found to be 26,50±4,9 minutes (16-39 minutes). Mean energy used for creating bone defect was 287,3±27,9 J (239 J ? 367 J). Success rate after a mean follow up time of 8.01 months was 90.0%. All 7 subjects that were closed at the 3. month control were adviced transcanalicular laser DCR as revision surgery. Five of the subjects accepted it, 3 were successfull but 2 were not successfull on the first week control. No complication was seen during operation. After the operation, 3 subjects (4.29%) developed minimal epistaxis, 5 subjects (7.14%) developed eyelid edema and ecimosis that lasted 5 days, and 4 subjects (5.71%) developed silicone tube prolapsus from the punctum.Conclusion: Endoscopic transcanalicular multidiode laser DCR are found to be successfull. As both the surgery time and the recovery time after surgery are short, hemorrhage is very little, skin incision is not performed, neighbourhood structures are damaged very little, it can be an alternative to other surgery techniques.