A Comparative Study between Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy and External Dacryocystorhinostomy – A Hospital-Based Study

BACKGROUND Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) can be performed via two approaches either external approach or endonasally. Earlier, external approach was preferred but with the recent introduction of endoscopy, the focus has shifted to endoscopic DCR as it is a less invasive procedure. This study was conducted to compare both the approaches. METHODS 50 patients were selected from patients attending eye and ENT OPD of a medical college in Kolkata with complaints of watering and / or discharge or with other features of chronic dacryocystitis e.g., mucocele, pyocele etc. They were then allocated in to two groups, group A (patients who will undergo endo DCR) and group B (patients who will undergo external DCR). Results of both were compared. RESULTS The mean age of study population was 34.34 ± 6.65 yrs. Among the study population, 36 patients (72 %) were female and 14 were male (28 %). Mean age of Group A (i.e. patients subjected to endo DCR) was 34.60 ± 5.72, while that of Group B (patients undergone external DCR) was 34.08 ± 7.58 yrs. Patients had a right sided predilection for DCR operation (66 %). Most common presenting symptom was epiphora (66 %) followed by epiphora with discharge. Mean time taken for the operation was significantly (p < 0.0001) more in group B (117 ± 14.43 mins) compared to that in group A (46.60 ± 8.63 mins). Massive intraoperative bleeding was more common in group B (32 %) compared to that in group A (p = 0.0023). Group B had a significantly higher rate of post-operative complications (56 %) compared to that in group A (p = 0.00085). Group B also had a higher success rate compared to group A; but this difference was not significant. (p = 0.22144). CONCLUSIONS Both the approaches have their own merits and demerits; but both are accepted alternatives, so either approach could be performed depending on the situation. KEYWORDS Endoscopic DCR, External DCR, Epiphora