[Dacryoendoscopy--current status].

UNLABELLED

In the years from 1995 to 1997 in the eyeclinic of Darmstadt and the eyeclinic of the St. Josef Hospital Hagen 261 dacryoendoscopies were done in a bicentrical study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A dacryoendoscopy was done in 261 patients with an average age of 46.6 years (143 women, 93 men and 25 children). In dependance of the assessment of the mucosa conditions intraoperatively in all 261 cases the planed operative strategy was checked and if needed changed. As following surgical interventions of the lacrimal system were seen 70 cases of dacryocystorhinostomia externa, 138 cases of intubation of the lacrimal drainage system and 53 cases of laserdacryoplastic.

RESULTS

The dacryoendoscopy had succeeded as method for the assessment of the mucosa conditions [5, 6]. In a study of 261 dacryoendoscopies an examination of the mucosa was possible in every case. No complications were seen while dacryoendoscopy. With help of the dacryoendoscopy the planed operative strategy was determined. Therefore we had the possibility to choose a minimal invasive operation-procedure in 53 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The dacryoendoscopy is a new important diagnostic development in diagnosis of diseases of the lacrimal drainage system. With help of better developed endoscopy-systems a much better quality of the picture is attainable. The results of the dacryoendoscopy offer the possibility to check the preoperative indication and to optimate the surgical treatment. At last only with help of the dacryoendoscopy these findings could be ascertained in which case a laserdacryoplastic is senseful.