Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy vs KTP 532 laser-assisted endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

Objectives: Advances in endoscopy and lasers have improved surgical management of chronic nasolacrimal duct obstruction. This is a preliminary comparison between standard and laser assisted endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). Study Design: Combined retrospective and prospective study. Setting: Tertiary referral hospital. Patients and Methods: Thirty-eight cases of chronic nasolacrimal duct obstruction underwent endoscopic DCR (26 standard and 12, laser-assisted) and were assessed at 3 and at 6 months postoperatively by nasal endoscopy. Results: Three months postoperatively (n = 38), total relief of epiphora among the nonlaser group was 80.76 vs 75% in the laser group (P = 0.982). At 6 months (n = 19), the laser group had recorded 100% symptomatic relief compared to 85.71% in the nonlaser group (P = 0.964). The laser group suffered fewer complications (33.33 vs 46.15% for nonlaser group). Conclusion: Lasers show promise in long-term management of duct obstruction and are associated with fewer complications. A larger study is required before any generalization is made.