EXTERNAL DACRYOCYSTORHINOSTOMY VERSUS ENDOSCOPIC ENDONASAL DACRYOCYSTORHINOSTOMY

The objective of present study was to compare the results of endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy and external dacryocystorhinostomy. It was a prospective study. Forty two consecutive patients having complaints of epiphora, swelling near medial canthus, angular conjunctival congestion, with naso lacrimal duct obstruction were selected for the study. Selection of type of operation was left to the patient's choice. All patients had preoperative counseling and both the procedures were explained in detail with their advantages and disadvantages. Twenty two patients underwent endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy and twenty had external dacryocystorhinostomy. The follow-up was done at 7th, 21st, & 3 months after surgery. The patency of lacrimal passage was confirmed by syringing and patients were questioned about their symptoms. There was no significant difference in the results of both surgeries. The complication rate in both groups was almost equal. Thus we came to the conclusion that these two different dacryocystorhinostomy techniques are acceptable alternative. Success of external DCR & endonasal DCR based on patency of passage on 3rd month was 85% & 81.8% respectively.