Pediatric Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy

Abstract

Objective: to assess the effectiveness and success rate for the management of resistent epiphora in children older than 4 years.

Methods: We did a prospective study on 20 children (26 eyes) complaining of epiphora. Their ages ranged from 4 to 14 years old.  Cases have been chosen from those coming to ENT and ophthalmology departments of Minia university hospital with history of failed treatment of epiphora by lines other than dacryocystorhinostomy. Surgeries involved a combined ENT and ophthalmology team.

Results: pediatric DCR was done for children with epiphora unresponsive to more conservative lines of treatment such as probing, intubation or balloon dacryoplasty or when associated with nasal pathologies or recurrent dacryocystitis. The success rate for pediatric endoscopic DCR was 90%. The concomitant sinonasal pathologies are present in 45% of cases.

Conclusions: endoscopic DCR is a valuable option and good procedure for dealing with persistent childhood epiphora with lack of skin incision, preservation of the pump mechanism and the ability to address other nasal pathologies at the time of surgery.