Purpose: To study the duration of surgery, outcomes, adverse events and success rates of external versus endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery.

Method: Prospective non-randomized comparative study. Study was conducted for 24 months duration in a teaching hospital with 50 cases of endoscopic and 30 cases of external DCR with a follow-up of minimum 6 months. Data regarding surgical outcome and complications were analysed and compared using Chi-square test.

Result: Functional success and symptomatic relief were equivalent in both procedures. Intranasal endoscopic DCR is a simple, minimally invasive, day care procedure and had comparable result with conventional external DCR. The follow-up duration was comparable in both groups (mean 6months). Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the endonasal DCR group.

Conclusion: Endonasal endoscopic DCR surgery offers a very attractive alternative to the well established technique of external DCR surgery for the treatment of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction with equivalent success rates, shorter surgical time and higher patient satisfaction.

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Dr Sylveena Moshahary

Junior Resident, Dept of ENT and Head &Neck surgery

MLB Medical College Jhansi