Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy in Acute Dacryocystitis: A Multicenter Case Series

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience of early endonasal DCR (endoDCR) in the treatment of acute dacryocystitis (AD). Methods. International multicenter non-comparative retrospective study. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were identified. All were treated with antibiotics prior to surgery with a median of time from referral to endoDCR surgeon to surgery of 3 days (range 1-7). Surgery was performed using mechanical powered endoDCR (MENDCR) in 15/18 (83.3%) cases; mitomycin C was used in 5/18 (27.8%) and all cases underwent bicanalicular intubation. An increase in perioperative bleeding was noted in 5/18 (27.8%), causing interference in surgical technique in one (5.6%). Resolution of AD was seen in all cases, with no recurrences. 17/18 (94.4%) cases were free of epiphora at median follow-up of 12 months (range 2-36), with nasal endoscopy revealing free flow of fluorescein through the ostium in 17/18 (94.4%) of cases. The median total length of stay was 1 night (range 0-3). CONCLUSIONS: EndoDCR surgery performed early in AD led to rapid resolution of the condition in all cases and was associated with subsequent anatomical and functional success in 94.4% of cases. Early endoDCR surgery in the context of AD and the potential associated health economic benefits are worth further consideration and study.