[Endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy with transillumination of the lacrimal sac: implementation and results]

Abstract

Patients: Since Mai 1991 we performed a total of 17 endonasal dacryocystorhinostomies under transillumination of the lacrimal sac on 15 patients with lacrimal obstruction aged 11 to 88 years. 11 patients with 12 operations were followed up between 40 and 393 days (mean of 5.6 months).

Results: In all cases the connection between the lacrimal sac and the nasal cavity remained functionally open. One patient developed a secondary canalicular stenosis which made silicon tubing necessary.

Conclusions: We consider the operation an elegant and as far as our experience goes reliable method to recanalize the lacrimal drainage system avoiding a cutaneous incision. It is simplified by the transillumination of the lacrimal sac under videoendoscopic conditions.