Comparison of external and endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy

Introduction: External dacryocystorhinostomy has been the treatment for nasolacrimal duct obstruction for more than a century. More recently, nasal endoscopy has allowed this procedure to be carried out endonasally. Aim: The aim of this postal questionnaire study was to compare the health status of patients treated for epiphora by external versus endonasal non-laser dacryocystorhinostomy. Method: The Glasgow benefit inventory questionnaire, along with an additional, department-based symptomatic questionnaire, was distributed to all patients fitting our criteria. Results: Satisfactorily completed questionnaires were received from 64 out of 90 patients in the external group and from 30 of 41 patients in the endonasal group. Results indicated positive scores for both groups for all four subscales of the Glasgow benefit inventory. There were no statistically significant differences between results for the external and endonasal procedures. The ocular symptomatology questionnaire results indicated better scores for the external procedure, but this difference did not reach statistical significance.