Comparison of endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy over external dacryocy storhinostomy

Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is an operation indicated for nasolacrimal duct obstruction. It creates a lacrimal drainage pathway into the nasal cavity to facilitate drainage of the previously obstructed excreting system. DCR can be performed either through external or endoscopic approach. We undertook this study to compare the results and advantages of endonasal endoscopic DCR with external DCR with respect to intraoperative and postoperative complications, duration of surgery, functional and cosmetic outcome. Out of 40 patients taken up for DCR, 20 underwent unilateral external DCR, 18 had unilateral endoscopic DCR and 2 had bilateral endoscopic DCR. Thus, a total of 22 eyes underwent endoscopic DCR and it was concluded that endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy is a less time consuming, almost equally effective and aesthetically better then external approach and is an acceptable and functional alternative to external dacryocystorhinostomy. Keywords: Endoscopic, Nasolacrimal duct