Dacryoendoscopy-assisted nasal endoscopic marsupialization for congenital dacryocystocele.

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.