Transcanalicular diode laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy: a ten year experience

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study is to investigate the success rates of transcanalicular endolaser dacryocystorhinostomy (TC-DCR) surgery as well as to investigate the demographic and clinical factors that may affect surgical success. Methods: Two hundred-fifty-six consecutive TC- DCR operations of 256 patients were included in this study. Patients who were operated between January 2011 and January 2021 were included in the study. The subjects were divided into two groups. Group 1 (no recurrence) is consisted of 192 patients and group 2 (recurrence) is consisted of 64 patients. Results: The mean follow-up period of 256 patients was 12.8 ± 5.0 (range: 6-26) months. The overall success rate was 192/256. The mean follow-up period of 192 patients (group 1) was 13.6 ± 5.2 months and no recurrence was observed during this period. Recurrence was seen in 64 patients (group 2) after an average of 10.1 ± 2.8 months. Re-TC-DCR was performed in 4 patients with recurrence, and EX-DCR was performed in 60 patients. Conclusion: TC-DCR appears to be a preferable surgical method that can be safely used in both young and old population. We observed that the increasing age was directly proportional to the surgical success. We also observed that female gender is a risk factor for surgical failure. In addition, it should be taken into account that the chances of success are relatively low in patients with additional nasal pathologies.