Assessing the Outcomes of Powered Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy in Adults Using the Lacrimal Symptom (Lac-Q) Questionnaire.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess the quality of outcomes of powered endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy using the lacrimal symptom (Lac-Q) questionnaire.

METHODS

Prospective interventional case series of 50 consecutive patients who underwent primary powered endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy were included in the study. All the patients had stent placement which were removed at 4 weeks. The Lac-Q questionnaire was administered preoperatively and at 4 weeks and 16 weeks following the surgery. Outcomes assessed were anatomical success, functional success, and changes in the social impact and lacrimal symptoms scores. Statistical analysis was performed using Dunnette's procedure with bonferroni correction.

RESULTS

Fifty-five powered endoscopic dacryocysto rhinostomies were performed on 50 patients. A total of 150 questionnaire responses were analyzed. At the 16 week follow up, the anatomical and functional success rates were 98% and 94%, respectively. The mean social impact scores showed significant improvement postoperatively from 3.88 to 0.3 (p ≤ 0.001). The changes in the total scores (12.5 preoperatively to 1.0 at 16 weeks follow up) were statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001). Postoperative scoring correlated well with the anatomical and functional success rates. The symptom scores reflected changes with change in the clinical condition.

CONCLUSION

The Lac-Q questionnaire is a simple and useful tool to evaluate the quality of outcomes of powered endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.