Pediatric Endoscopic DCR: The Outcome in 50 Patients

Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction is a very common condition affecting 20 % of infants. Pediatric DCR is indicated when there is no response to previous therapy like probing, or is associated with recurrent dacryocystitis. This is a retrospective case series study of 50 pediatric patients who underwent endoscopic DCR in two centers, Jordan University Hospital/Jordan, and Mosul teaching and private hospitals/Iraq. The age ranged from 3 to 12 years with a mean of 6.2 years. The overall success rate of endoscopic DCR was 90 %, and failed cases were mainly due to presaccal obstruction. No major complications were reported, but minor complications occurred in about 60 % of cases. As a conclusion, endoscopic DCR is a safe and effective procedure in pediatric age group.