Dacryoendoscopy-assisted nasal endoscopic marsupialization for congenital dacryocystocele.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the surgical outcome of dacryoendoscopy-assisted nasal endoscopic marsupialization for congenital dacryocystocele. METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational study that included 7 sides of 6 patients with congenital dacryocystocele. The surgical indication in 5 of the patients was acute dacryocystitis while one of the patients had no spontaneous resolution after long-term observation. Dacryoendoscopy was used for visualisation of the lacrimal cavity, direct probing of the obstruction at the common canaliculus, and localisation of a deflated intranasal cyst after an initial incision of the cyst. Surgical success was defined when the following postoperative conditions were satisfied no epiphora, normal tear meniscus height, and complete clearance of the dye 5 min after instilling a drop of 2% fluorescein solution into the inferior conjunctional fornix. RESULTS: Out of 6 patients, 2 patients were noted to have membranous common canalicular obstruction. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 11 days to 3 months. Surgical success was achieved in all patients without any complication. CONCLUSIONS: Dacryoendoscopy-assisted nasal endoscopic marsupialization is an effective surgical management for congenital dacryocystocele.