Transcanalicular laser-assisted revision of failed dacryocystorhinostomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Despite the high success rate of external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), recurrent tearing after DCR can be troublesome. The authors performed transcanalicular revision in 6 patients with failed DCR.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

With the use of a continuous wave Nd:YAG laser with a sclerostomy probe, the internal ostium was reopened by a transcanalicular approach. The authors applied 0.4 mg/ml of mitomycin-C around the opening for 5 minutes intranasally and inserted a silicone tube as a stent.

RESULTS

A total of 7 operations were performed in 6 patients. The operation was successful after the first revision in 5 of the 6 patients, but 1 of the patients required a second procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

The transcanalicular laser-assisted revision has several advantages. It is simple and fast, skin incision is avoided, there is good hemostasis, it is less traumatic, and there is less postoperative morbidity.