Peripunctal Mass Lesions: Clinicopathological Analysis and Surgical Outcomes-A Multicentric Series.

PURPOSE: To report the epidemiology, histopathological spectrum, and surgical outcomes of peripunctal mass lesions. METHODS: Multicentric retrospective case series involving 6 centers in India. All cases of peripunctal masses with histopathological diagnoses and minimum follow up of 3 months were included. Demographic data, clinical photographs, objective assessments of clinical improvement were assessed before and after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients were included. The mean age was 46.4 years (range: 12-76 years). The mean duration of complaints was 27.4 months (range: 1-120 months) and mean follow-up period after surgery was 15.8 months (range: 3-120 months). The most common presenting complaints were a mass lesion/cosmetic concern (82%), followed by epiphora (48%) and foreign body sensation (16%). The most common lesion was melanocytic nevus (19/50; 38%), followed by squamous papilloma (8/50; 16%), hidrocystoma (7/50; 14%), and epidermoid cyst (7/50; 14%). Three cases of malignant tumors were diagnosed: 2 cases of sebaceous gland carcinoma and 1 case of squamous cell carcinoma. In all, 21 of 50 (42%) cases underwent excision with the placement of a Mini-Monoka stent, whereas the remaining 29 cases underwent only excision. At final follow up, a healed punctal opening was visible in 46 of 50 (92%) of the cases; 2 (4%) cases had a slit-like punctum and in 1 case (2%), a stenosed punctum was visible. However, only 1 case (2%) reported epiphora at follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Peripunctal masses are largely benign and present most commonly on the lower eyelid. Melanocytic nevus is the most common peripunctal mass lesion. In the series, stent placement did not play a significant role in the functional outcome.

Clinical Presentations, Management and Outcomes of Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM) Following COVID-19: A Multi-Centric Study.

PURPOSE: To report clinical presentations and factors affecting outcomes in rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis following COVID-19. METHODS: Retrospective multi-centric interventional case series of 58 eyes with rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis. Demography, clinical parameters and management outcomes were noted. Factors affecting outcome and mortality were analyzed. Outcome was defined as favorable when complete resolution or stabilization without further progression of the infection was noted at last visit. RESULTS: Mean age was 55 ± 11 years (median 56). The mean HbA1c value was 10.44 ± 2.84 mg% (median 10.5). The duration between the diagnosis of COVID-19 and rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis was 16 ± 21 days (median: 8 days). Thirty-six eyes (62%) had no vision at presentation. Imaging revealed paranasal sinus involvement (100%), orbital apex involvement (41%), cavernous sinus involvement (30%), and central nervous system (CNS) involvement (33%). All the patients were treated with systemic Liposomal amphotericin-B and sinus debridement. Twenty-two eyes (38%) underwent exenteration. One eye underwent transcutaneous retrobulbar amphotericin-B. The mean follow-up duration was 5.62 ± 0.78 months (median 6). Favorable outcome was seen in 35 (60%) cases. Presence of uncontrolled diabetes (p = 0.001), orbital apex involvement (p = 0.04), CNS involvement (p = 0.04), and history of steroid use (p < 0.0001) resulted in unfavorable outcome. CNS involvement was the only factor predicting mortality (p = 0.03). Mortality was seen in 20 (34%) patients. CONCLUSION: Over a third of patients with rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis following COVID-19 have an unfavorable clinical outcome. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus at presentation, involvement of the orbital apex, CNS, and the usage of steroids were associated with poorer outcomes. CNS involvement was a factor determining mortality.

A "flexible tripod" mounted video camera: An economical and effective method to record oculoplastic surgeries.

Recording surgical procedures is of value for teaching and training in residency and fellowship programs. Operating external ophthalmic surgeries is not as easy as recording intraocular surgeries. In this communication, we describe the use of a video recorder mounted on a flexible tripod (Gorillapod®), a commonly available photography accessory; which is fixed to an IV fluid stand. This set up was used to record external ophthalmic surgeries and the recorded videos were of high quality in terms of stability and required no change in surgical technique to ensure that the area of interest was in focus. In our experience, early results show that a flexible tripod offers an economical mount for recording external surgeries with reproducible results.

Indian survey on practice patterns of lacrimal & eyelid disorders (iSUPPLE): Report 3 - Cataract and nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

AIM: To assess the practice patterns pertaining to pre-cataract screening for nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) among oculoplastic surgeons in India. The survey was aimed at obtaining data on the current screening and treatment strategies for NLDO and the interval between lacrimal surgery and subsequent cataract surgery. METHODS: An online survey was sent to all members of Oculoplastic Association of India. All valid responses were tabulated and analyzed. RESULTS: Majority of the respondents (92%) felt that nasolacrimal duct patency should be checked prior to performing cataract surgery: 59.6% felt that checking for regurgitation on pressure over the lacrimal sac (ROPLAS) was sufficient and 32.6% preferred to perform lacrimal irrigation to check for NLD patency. Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) was the preferred surgery for NLDO thus detected. The preferred interval between a DCR and subsequent cataract surgery was 4 weeks (48.9%). A small minority (7.9%) of the respondents felt that pre-cataract screening for NLDO was not required. Also, a small but significant number (12.6%) felt that no treatment was required for NLDO in such patients and that to could go ahead with cataract surgery even in the presence of coexisting NLDO. CONCLUSIONS: There is a general agreement on the need for pre-cataract screening for NLDO and a majority indicated that checking for ROPLAS was sufficient. Most surgeons prefer to perform a DCR in cases of NLDO and wait for 4 weeks before intraocular surgery. There is however, a lacuna in the literature on guidelines regarding the optimal interval between lacrimal surgery and subsequent intraocular surgery.

Dacryolithiasis: A Review.

PURPOSE: To review and summarize the clinical features, presentations, diagnostic modalities and management of dacryolithiasis. METHODS: A comprehensive PubMed search of all English articles on dacryolithiasis was reviewed. Although this review primarily relied on articles written in English, non-English-language articles that had abstracts translated into English were also reviewed. Data reviewed included epidemiology, pathogenesis, appearance and composition, clinical features, presentations, diagnostic modalities, management of dacryolithiasis and the implications of incidental dacryoliths found during lacrimal surgery. RESULTS: Although an unknown proportion of dacryolithiasis cases may remain asymptomatic; epiphora, acute and/or recurrent dacryocystitis, punctal discharge, and localized swelling are the most common presenting features of dacryolithiasis. It may also present as partial nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Dacryoliths exhibit a variety in external appearances. While some minimally invasive techniques for the removal of dacryoliths have been described, dacryocystorhinostomy with removal of the dacryoliths remain the most effective treatment in cases of symptomatic dacryolithiasis. The expression and production of certain proteins and peptides, namely those of the trifoil factor family play a significant role in the pathogenesis of dacryoliths. CONCLUSIONS: The management of dacryolithiasis is driven by the goal of resolution of secondary obstruction and/or inflammation. Although a large number of dacryoliths are incidentally found during dacryocystorhinostomy, certain clinical features such as unilateral sac distension, particularly those with a palpable firm medial canthal mass, might lead one to have a high index of suspicion. It remains unclear if the incidental finding of a dacryolith during a dacryocystorhinostomy has a favorable prognostic value.

Transcanalicular Laser-Assisted Dacryocystorhinostomy With Endonasal Augmentation in Primary Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction: Our Experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the success rate of transcanalicular laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy with endonasal augmentation, with and without intubation, in patients suffering from primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction, at 1 year of follow up. METHODS: A prospective, randomized interventional pilot study was conducted at a tertiary care center, in accordance with the guidelines of Declaration of Helsinki. Sixty eyes of 60 adult patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction were included. The participants were divided randomly into 2 equal groups (A and B-without and with bicanalicular intubation, respectively). An osteotomy was first created using 980 nm diode laser (set at 8W continuous mode) transcanalicularly and then enlarged intranasally using Blakesley's nasal forceps, followed by bicanalicular silicon intubation in group B patients. The tubes were removed at the end of 8 weeks. The ostium size was assessed endoscopically at 8 weeks and again at the end of follow up, at 1 year. A successful outcome was defined in terms of ostium patency at the end of 1 year. The results were analyzed at the end of a follow up of 1 year, using various statistical tests (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 35.3 ± 15.89 years, with 23 male and 37 female patients, the 2 groups having a similar male:female ratio. An overall success rate of 90% was achieved at the end of 1 year with no statistically significant difference between the groups. Postoperative complications like tube displacement and punctal, canalicular injury were more in the intubated group. The average osteotomy size was 8.06 ± 5.4 mm at the end of 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Transcanalicular laser-assisted dacryocysto rhinostomy, with endonasal augmentation, is a scarless, effective, daycare procedure, for treatment of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction with no additional advantage offered by silicone intubation.

Ocular surface squamous neoplasia as the initial presenting sign of human immunodeficiency virus infection in 60 Asian Indian patients.

PURPOSE: To study the importance of routine human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening in patients with ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) and describe their clinical features and management. METHODS: Retrospective study. RESULTS: Of 228 cases of OSSN screened for HIV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, 86 (38%) patients were HIV positive. Of these 86 patients, 60 (70%) were unaware of their HIV-positive status prior to HIV screening. These 60 (26%) patients with newly detected HIV-positive status were included in this study. Ocular surface squamous neoplasia was the sole presenting feature of HIV infection in these patients. Mean age at presentation was 41 years. Bilateral involvement occurred in 9 (15%) cases. The mean tumor basal diameter was 11 mm. Orbital involvement was noted in 6 (9%) cases, and intraocular tumor extension occurred in 1 (1%) case. Based on American Joint Committee Classification, T2 (n = 35, 51%) was most common. The primary treatment for OSSN included excision biopsy (n = 52, 75%), topical chemotherapy with Mitomycin-C (n = 5, 7%), extended enucleation (n = 4, 6%), and orbital exenteration (n = 8, 12%). Tumor recurrence occurred in 23% cases during a mean follow-up period of 9 months. On histopathology, invasive squamous cell carcinoma was more common (n = 38, 55%). CONCLUSION: OSSN was the presenting sign of underlying HIV infection in 26% cases, and 70% were unaware of their HIV-positive status prior to HIV screening. In this study, T2 tumor was most common, and 26% cases required extended enucleation/orbital exenteration to achieve complete tumor resection.

Indian Survey on Practice Patterns of Lacrimal and Eyelid Disorders (iSUPPLE) Report 2: Mitomycin-C and Lacrimal Stents in Dacryocystorhinostomy.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess practice patterns on the use of intraoperative Mitomycin-C (MMC) and lacrimal stents (intubation) in dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) for nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) among oculoplastic surgeons in India. The survey was aimed at obtaining data on the duration of stent placement and specifics regarding MMC usage namely, concentration and duration of application. METHODS: A survey that included questions on the management of lacrimal disorders was sent in April 2015 to members of the Oculoplastic Association of India, through an email communication. The results were tabulated and analyzed. RESULTS: External DCR is the preferred surgery of choice to treat NLDO for most oculoplastic surgeons (86%) surveyed. A majority (58%) of the respondents do not place stents during DCR routinely in their practice. Lesser experienced oculoplastic surgeons (<10 years of experience) when compared with more experienced surgeons were more likely to place stents routinely in their DCRs (59% versus 19%; P = 0.0002). Of the special situations that the respondents would consider stent placement, the most common scenarios were the presence of coexisting canalicular pathology followed by cases of previously failed DCRs. The preferred duration for stent removal was 3 months (48%). Intraoperative MMC was used routinely by only 36% of the respondents. The most common condition where they would consider intraoperative MMC was previously failed DCRs. Three minutes (25%) and 0.2 mg/mL (30%) were the preferred duration of application and concentration of MMC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: External DCR is the most preferred surgery for NLDO; in comparison, endoscopic DCR enjoys less popularity as the surgical procedure of choice in NLDO. Adjunctive procedures, namely intraoperative MMC and stenting of the lacrimal passages, are not routinely performed; however, previously failed DCRs are common indications when the respondents may use MMC and/or lacrimal stents. Three months is the preferred duration for stent removal. The trends regarding the concentration of MMC and the application show considerable variation, underscoring the need for evidence-based guidelines to assist oculoplastic surgeons.

Outcomes of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy: Experience of a fellowship trainee at a tertiary care center.

AIM: The study aims to report a single trainee's experience of learning and performing endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This study was a retrospective, interventional case series. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty-four eyes of fifty patients presenting at a tertiary eye care center over 1 year were included in the study. All cases underwent endoscopic DCR with mitomycin-C and silicone intubation. The parameters studied included demographics, clinical features, intraoperative details, and postoperative ostium evaluation. Stent removal and nasal endoscopy were performed at 6 weeks and a further ostium evaluation at 3 and 6 months following surgery. Anatomical success rate was defined as patent irrigation, and functional success rate was defined as positive functional endoscopic dye test and absence of epiphora. RESULTS: Fifty-four eyes of fifty patients were operated, and three cases were lost to follow-up after surgery. The mean age at presentation was 34 (4-75) years. Clinical diagnosis included primary acquired nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction in 72% (39/54), acute dacryocystitis in 15% (8/54), failed DCR in 7% (4/54), and persistent congenital NLD obstruction in 5% (3/54). The first five cases needed intervention by the mentor for superior osteotomy. Common variations in anatomical landmarks were posterior location of sac, large ethmoidal bulla, high internal common opening, and thick maxillary bone. Surgical time taken in the last 27 eyes was significantly lesser compared to the surgical duration taken in the initial 27 cases (P < 0.05). Anatomical and functional success rate was 94% (48/51) at 6 months follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic En-DCR has a good success rate when performed by oculoplastic surgery trainees. Nasal anatomical variations, instrument handling, and adaptation to monocular view of endoscope are few of the challenges for beginners. Structured skill transfer can help trainees to learn and perform En-DCR with acceptable success rates.

Endoscopic ultrasonic dacryocystorhinostomy: clinical profile and outcomes.

Ultrasonic endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (UEnDCR) is emerging alternative modality of managing nasolacrimal duct obstructions. The aim of this study was to report the clinical profile and outcomes with a UEnDCR with mitomycin C and silicone intubation. Prospective interventional case series performed on all consecutive patients undergoing an ultrasonic endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy over a 1-year period from September 2013 to October 2014. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon (MJA). Data collected include demographics, presentation, indications for surgery, past interventions, intraoperative and post-operative complications and outcomes. The main outcome measures were anatomical and functional success of the surgery. 44 procedures were performed in 41 patients. The mean age was 31.6 years. Children with complex congenital nasolacrimal duct obstructions refractory to probing and intubation accounted for 17 % (7/41) of the cohort. Past history of acute dacryocystitis was noted in 35.6 % (15/41). Two patients (4.9 %, 2/41) had failed external DCR. A minimal follow-up of 6 months following surgery was taken for final analysis. Complications included intraoperative focal epithelial burn in one patient that healed spontaneously and post-operative ostium granulomas in 15.9 % (7/44) of the ostia. At the 6-month follow-up, anatomical and functional successes were noted in 93.1 % (41/44) and 88.6 % (39/44), respectively. Ultrasonic dacryocystorhinostomy is a safe and effective alternative modality in the management of nasolacrimal duct obstructions in pediatric and adult age groups. Setup was easy and no additional technical difficulties were observed.

Primary orbital yolk sac tumor: report of a case and review of literature.

Germ cell tumor can affect extragonadal sites. Teratoma is a well-recognized extragonadal tumor in the orbit. Primary yolk sac tumor (YST) or endodermal sinus tumor of orbit is rare and only few cases have been reported in the literature. Its clinical presentation may mimic many common pediatric orbital conditions, and delay in diagnosis affects ocular morbidity and mortality. In the past orbital YST has been treated with multimodal therapy including surgery, systemic chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Herein we describe a case of primary orbital YST and reviewed the literature for similar cases. The review aims to describe the clinical presentation, imaging features, histopathological characteristics, and management of orbital YST.

Fourier Domain Optical Coherence Tomography With 3D and En Face Imaging of the Punctum and Vertical Canaliculus: A Step Toward Establishing a Normative Database.

PURPOSE: To report the features of Fourier domain optical coherence tomography imaging of the normal punctum and vertical canaliculus. METHODS: Prospective, interventional series of consecutive healthy and asymptomatic adults, who volunteered for optical coherence tomography imaging, were included in the study. Fourier domain optical coherence tomography images of the punctum and vertical canaliculus along with 3D and En face images were captured using the RTVue scanner with a corneal adaptor module and a wide-angled lens. Maximum punctal diameter, mid-canalicular diameter, and vertical canalicular height were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson correlation test, and scatter plot matrices were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 103 puncta of 52 healthy subjects were studied. Although all the images could depict the punctum and vertical canaliculus and all the desired measurements could be obtained, occasional tear debris within the canaliculus was found to be interfering with the imaging. The mean maximum punctal diameter, mid-canalicular diameter, and vertical canalicular height were recorded as 214.71 ± 73 µm, 125.04 ± 60.69 µm, and 890.41 ± 154.76 µm, respectively, with an insignificant correlation between them. The maximum recorded vertical canalicular height in all the cases was far less than the widely reported depth of 2 mm. High-resolution 3D and En face images provided a detailed topography of punctal surface and overview of vertical canaliculus. CONCLUSION: Fourier domain optical coherence tomography with 3D and En face imaging is a useful noninvasive modality to image the proximal lacrimal system with consistently reproducible high-resolution images. This is likely to help clinicians in the management of proximal lacrimal disorders.

Minimally invasive surgery for thyroid eye disease.

Thyroid eye disease (TED) can affect the eye in myriad ways: proptosis, strabismus, eyelid retraction, optic neuropathy, soft tissue changes around the eye and an unstable ocular surface. TED consists of two phases: active, and inactive. The active phase of TED is limited to a period of 12-18 months and is mainly managed medically with immunosuppression. The residual structural changes due to the resultant fibrosis are usually addressed with surgery, the mainstay of which is orbital decompression. These surgeries are performed during the inactive phase. The surgical rehabilitation of TED has evolved over the years: not only the surgical techniques, but also the concepts, and the surgical tools available. The indications for decompression surgery have also expanded in the recent past. This article discusses the technological and conceptual advances of minimally invasive surgery for TED that decrease complications and speed up recovery. Current surgical techniques offer predictable, consistent results with better esthetics.

Surgeon point-of-view recording: Using a high-definition head-mounted video camera in the operating room.

OBJECTIVE: To study the utility of a commercially available small, portable ultra-high definition (HD) camera (GoPro Hero 4) for intraoperative recording. METHODS: A head mount was used to fix the camera on the operating surgeon's head. Due care was taken to protect the patient's identity. The recorded video was subsequently edited and used as a teaching tool. This retrospective, noncomparative study was conducted at three tertiary eye care centers. The surgeries recorded were ptosis correction, ectropion correction, dacryocystorhinostomy, angular dermoid excision, enucleation, blepharoplasty and lid tear repair surgery (one each). The recorded videos were reviewed, edited, and checked for clarity, resolution, and reproducibility. RESULTS: The recorded videos were found to be high quality, which allowed for zooming and visualization of the surgical anatomy clearly. Minimal distortion is a drawback that can be effectively addressed during postproduction. The camera, owing to its lightweight and small size, can be mounted on the surgeon's head, thus offering a unique surgeon point-of-view. In our experience, the results were of good quality and reproducible. CONCLUSIONS: A head-mounted ultra-HD video recording system is a cheap, high quality, and unobtrusive technique to record surgery and can be a useful teaching tool in external facial and ophthalmic plastic surgery.

Conjunctival Leiomyosarcoma: A Report of Two Cases.

PURPOSE: Leiomyosarcoma is a common soft tissue tumor in the body. However, ocular leiomyosarcoma is rather uncommon. Herein, we describe the clinical and histopathological features of two cases of conjunctival leiomyosarcoma. There have only been three previously documented cases of conjunctival leiomyosarcoma. RESULTS: A 34-year-old male presented with a 2-year history of a whitish mass in the right eye. He underwent an incisional biopsy of the mass, which supported the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma on histopathological examination. Computed tomography showed orbital extension of the mass, following which he underwent an eyelid sparing orbital exenteration of the right side. The second case was that of a 39-year-old male, who had a history of a whitish limbal mass, which had been previously excised elsewhere. The pre-operative clinical photographs and histopathology slides of the excised mass were reviewed. A histopathological diagnosis of conjunctival leiomyosarcoma was established and due to base positivity, he was treated with plaque radiotherapy. Both the cases showed no tumor recurrence or systemic metastasis at one-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Primary conjunctival leiomyosarcoma is uncommon. Appropriate treatment of the tumor is associated with good prognosis.

Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia in 200 Patients: A Case-Control Study of Immunosuppression Resulting from Human Immunodeficiency Virus versus Immunocompetency.

PURPOSE: To describe and compare the clinical presentation, treatment outcomes, and histopathologic features of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) based on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status. DESIGN: Case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 200 patients with OSSN, of whom 83 (41%) had positive results for HIV and were classified as cases and 117 (59%) had negative results for HIV and were classified as controls. METHODS: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for HIV, conjuntival excision biopsy, extended enucleation, orbital exenteration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical features, treatment outcomes, and histopathologic characteristics. RESULTS: The mean age at presentation of OSSN in both cases and controls was 40 years (median, 40 years; range, 13-65 years) and in controls was 40 years (median, 38 years; range, 15-80 years). On comparison of cases versus controls with OSSN, HIV-positive individuals had larger (12 vs. 8 mm; P < 0.001) and thicker (3.2 vs. 2.3 mm; P = 0.041) tumors, with a higher incidence of corneal (60% vs. 40%; P = 0.007), scleral (19% vs. 9%; P = 0.044), and orbital (13% vs. 3%; P = 0.019) invasion and a higher need for extended enucleation or exenteration (27% vs. 11%; P < 0.001). The bilateral presentation (11% vs. 4%; P = 0.13), need for lamellar sclerectomy (13% vs. 8%; P = 0.29), and tumor recurrence after primary treatment (30% vs. 20%; P = 0.12) was higher in HIV-positive cases compared with HIV-negative controls. However, these features were not statistically significant. Based on American Joint Committee on Cancer classification, T1 tumor was more common in controls (13% in cases vs. 35% in controls; P = 0.0009), and T4 tumor was more common in cases (13% in cases vs. 4% in controls; P = 0.019). None of the patients demonstrated systemic metastases or died of disease during a mean follow-up period of 10 months (median, 4 months; range, <1-75 months) in cases and 9 months (median, 4 months; range, <1-99 months) in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular surface squamous neoplasia in HIV-positive individuals is aggressive with larger and thicker tumors and with higher incidence of corneal, scleral, and orbital invasion. These patients are associated with poor ocular prognosis with higher need for extended enucleation, exenteration, or both.

Our experience with transcanalicular laser-assisted endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (TCLADCR) in patients of chronic dacryocystitis with deviated nasal septum.

The purpose of this study is to study the operative difficulties and success rate of transcanalicular laser-assisted endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy in patients of chronic dacryocystitis with deviated nasal septum (DNS). A prospective interventional clinical study of 36 consecutive patients suffering from chronic dacryocystitis with nasolacrimal duct obstruction with DNS undergoing primary TCLADCR from March to June 2011 was carried out. Diode laser was used to create a 16-mm(2) ostium which was enlarged to 64 mm(2) using Blakesley's forceps. Success was defined as anatomical patency and absence of symptoms at 12 months of follow-up. Out of the 36 patients, 25 were females with ages 20-72 years, and 19 were left sided. There were 12 high, 12 mid and 12 basal DNS towards the side of surgery, mild to moderate in severity. Intraoperatively there was difficulty in visualising the aiming beam in the nose, tedious manipulation of endoscope and excessive bleeding in 3 patients. Increased bleeding and failures were significantly higher in high DNS (Fisher exact test-2 tailed: 0.0045). The procedure was successful in 94.4 % cases with average ostium size of 21.94 mm(2) at 12 months and no statistically significant difference in success rates between mild and moderate DNS (Fisher exact test-2 tailed: 1.000). Also there was no difference in the complication rate between mild and moderate DNS (Fisher exact test-2 tailed: 0.0841). TCLADCR is an effective procedure in patients with mild to moderate mid and basal DNS and obviates the need for multiple procedures and a cutaneous scar.