The outcomes of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy in children: A systematic review

Long-Term outcomes of pediatric dacryocystorhinostomy in a single medical center- a retrospective study

PURPOSE

To examine the long-term success rate of pediatric endoscopic DCR surgery via telephone questionnaires, as determined by patients and their parents.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of all patients who underwent DCR surgery at the Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel between 2010 and 2020. We performed long-term follow-ups to assess the quality of life, surgical complications, and satisfaction with surgical outcomes.

RESULTS

Our study includes seventy-nine patients with a total of 108 eyes. The mean age at the time of DCR was 7.05 years (Std = 4, min = 0.3, max = 17.7) Mean follow-up time was 5.7 years (Std =2.5, min = 1.4, max = 11.1). Tubes were inserted for a mean of 129 days (Std = 101). Fifty-seven patients (72%) declared they had no complications after surgery, three patients (4%) reported pain after surgery, and 14 patients (17.7%) reported tube extrusion, which occurred 7-21 days after surgery. Forty-four patients (56%) reported no recurrence of symptoms, 29 (37%) complained of mild epiphora, and 18 (23%) reported some ocular discharge. Sixty-eight patients (86%) stated that they did not undergo additional surgery, while the remaining 11 (14%) reported undergoing a revision operation for symptom control. Satisfaction rate (1-7) mean score reported was 6.15 (Std = 1.6). Sixty-two (78%) reported improved quality of life, while 17 (22%) reported no improvement. Our questionnaire results have been compared with the TEARS scores with similar findings.

CONCLUSION

Regardless of its etiology, endoscopic DCR surgery in the pediatric population is safe and efficient, with a high long-term patient satisfaction rate, as reported via a telephone questionnaire.

Pädiatrische Rhinologie

The following review article highlights key topics in pediatric rhinology that are currently the focus in research and at conferences as well as in the interdisciplinary discussion between otorhinolaryngologists and pediatricians. In particular, congenital malformations such as choanal atresia or nasal dermoid cysts are discussed, followed by statements on the current procedures for sinogenic orbital complications as well as on the diagnosis and therapy of chronic rhinosinusitis in children. Furthermore, updates on the role of the ENT specialist in the care for children with cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia are provided.

Two cases of nasolacrimal duct obstruction operated by endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy after orbital fracture reconstruction with an implant

Purpose

To report two cases of nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) caused by orbital fracture reconstruction with an implant successfully treated with endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EnDCR).

Observations

Two patients presented with NLDO after orbital fracture reconstruction with an implant. Case 1 was a 67-year-old female. She became aware of epiphora in her left eye after undergoing orbital fracture reconstruction with an implant for a left orbital floor fracture 14 years previously. Dacryocystitis was diagnosed based on a lacrimal syringing test because of pus reflux. Computed tomography (CT) showed that the implant was inserted on the left orbital floor, crossing into the lacrimal sac; dacryoendoscopy showed that the implant blocked the nasolacrimal duct. EnDCR was performed without implant removal. The symptoms resolved postoperatively. Case 2 involved a 6-year-old male who had been aware of epiphora in his left eye since undergoing orbital fracture reconstruction with an implant for a left orbital floor fracture one month prior. Dacryocystitis was diagnosed based on a lacrimal syringing test because of pus reflux. CT showed an unclear implant location, but dacryoendoscopy showed that the implant blocked the nasolacrimal duct. The implant was removed. However, EnDCR was performed because there was no improvement in NLDO. The symptoms resolved after EnDCR.

Conclusions and importance

One previous report of NLDO after orbital floor fracture reconstruction was performed with external dacryocystorhinostomy with implant removal. Dacryoendoscopy and CT are useful for confirming the location of the implant and obstruction. Depending on the implant's location, it may be possible to perform EnDCR without removing the implant.

Surgical Site Reassessment: An Important Step in Improving Clinical Outcomes Following Pediatric Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy

PURPOSE

To report the authors' experience with endoscopic unpowered dacryocystorhinostomy in the treatment of pediatric nasolacrimal duct obstruction, and to evaluate whether surgical site reassessment (after the appropriate healing period) affects clinical outcomes.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 47 children aged between 1.5 and 17.0 years (mean age: 6.9 years) who underwent endoscopic unpowered dacryocystorhinostomy between 2014 and 2019 at one tertiary care hospital. Twenty-six patients required unilateral and 21 required bilateral endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. The main outcome measures were duct patency on lacrimal irrigation ("anatomical success") and resolution of symptoms ("clinical success") over 6 months of postoperative follow-up.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight dacryocystorhinostomy procedures were performed. Surgical site reassessment during tube removal was performed in 52 of 68 cases. Five cases (9.6%) required treatment of local pathologies, only after which was symptomatic relief achieved. Overall anatomical success was observed in 49 (94.2%) of the 52 cases in which nasal endoscopy was performed, including the 5 cases treated during reevaluation. Clinical success was observed in 63 (92.6%) cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy is an effective surgical procedure used to correct nasolacrimal system obstruction resistant to conservative measures. The unpowered endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy technique is practical and safe in the pediatric population. Surgical site reassessment allows treating local pathologies threatening ostium patency and increases clinical success rates. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2021;58(3):168-173.].

Incision of Hasner's valve under endoscopic intranasal surgery for the treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a Hasner's valve incision performed under endoscopic intranasal surgery for the management of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

METHODS

This retrospective study comprised 484 patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction who underwent incision of Hasner's valve under endoscopic intranasal surgery between April 2000 and October 2016. The primary endpoint was the procedure's functional success rate. The secondary endpoints were Hasner's valve and inferior turbinate anatomical findings, demographic data, complication rate and surgical duration.

RESULTS

In patients with no medical history of nasolacrimal duct probing, 91 per cent had a successful result, 5 per cent had a partially successful result, 3.9 per cent showed no change and 0.1 per cent had a worse result following the procedure. Concerning the secondary endpoints, outcomes were more frequently successful in children younger than three years. Only one patient had a post-operative infection. All patients underwent general anaesthesia; no complications related to general anaesthesia were observed. Mean surgical duration was 13.1 ± 5.7 minutes.

CONCLUSION

Incising Hasner's valve after medially displacing the inferior turbinate under nasal endoscopy seems to be an adequate primary surgical treatment for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Preferred practice patterns in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy among oculoplastic surgeons in Asia-Pacific region

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to report the preferred practice patterns in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EnDCR) among oculoplastic surgeons practicing in the Asia-Pacific region.

METHODS

A detailed survey with 40 questions was electronically disseminated among oculoplastic surgeons practicing in Asia-Pacific region. The mailing list included targeted members of the Asia Pacific Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and nonmembers from the contact directories of the two senior authors. Data collected include demographics, training, surgical techniques, postoperative care, and outcomes.

RESULTS

The majority of surgeons performed a preoperative nasal endoscopy (76.2%, total respondents (n) = 122), and most preferred a general anesthesia for endoscopic DCRs (51.9%, n = 104). The majority of surgeons believed in preserving nasal mucosal and the lacrimal sac flaps and adjunctive endoscopic procedures were performed when required (58.4%, n = 101). Routine lacrimal sac wall biopsy for histopathology was not a preferred practice. The practice of routine silicone intubation was more common than the use of topical adjunctive. The majority of surgeons (52.6%, n = 97) took 31-60 minutes to complete a unilateral endoscopic DCR. Postoperative routine nasal douching and ostium cleaning were not widespread practices. The self-reported outcomes were good.

CONCLUSION

A significantly high percentage of oculoplastic surgeons from Asia-Pacific perform endoscopic DCR. Although the range of practice patterns is wide, there is increasing uniformity in surgical techniques with regard to endoscopic DCR as compared to the previous surveys.

Nasolacrimal duct opening to the inferior nasal meatus in human fetuses

The purpose of this study is to describe the Hasner's membrane which is the main factor of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Hasner's membrane at the nasal end of the fetal nasolacrimal duct (NLD) is considered to rupture at and after birth. However, topographical anatomy around the membrane as well as a mechanism of rupture seems to be still obscure. We observed frontal or sagittal sections of 20 late-stage fetuses (28-33 weeks) and found the on-going rupture in 2 specimens. The present sections demonstrated that 1) the nasal dilation was not a simple ball-like structure but extended posteriorly and laterally; 2) dilation of the NLD consistently involved the lacrimal sac; 3) Hasner's membrane and ductal mucosal layer contained no macrophages and no or few arteries and nerves. The posterior extension of the NLD end ranged from 1-2 mm, while the lateral extension 3-5 mm although a site of the thinnest membrane varied in location between specimens. Moreover, the thickest NLD due to dilation was in the slightly orbital or upper side of the nasal end. Therefore, before surgical treatment of Hasner's membrane, evaluation using medical images seems to be necessary. Since the nasal epithelium on Hasner's membrane was most likely to destroy earlier than the NLD mucosal lining, observations of the membrane from the nasal cavity seemed helpful for diagnosis at which site would be broken and when.

Indian survey on practice patterns of lacrimal and eyelid disorders (iSUPPLE) report 1: Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction

BACKGROUND

To assess the preferred practice patterns in the management of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) among oculoplastic surgeons in India. The survey was aimed at obtaining data on the timing of intervention, procedure of choice, and the use of adjunctive techniques such as silicone intubation and nasal endoscopy.

METHODS

An anonymized survey that included questions on the management of lacrimal disorders was sent in April 2015 to members of the Oculoplastic Association of India (OPAI), through an e-mail communication. The results were tabulated and analyzed.

RESULTS

A large proportion (84%) of respondents indicated that they advise lacrimal sac compression up to 1 year of age. Fourteen percent (12/87) indicated 2 years as their upper age limit for advising sac compression. One year is the preferred minimum age for advising primary nasolacrimal duct (NLD) probing by majority (45%) of respondents and the upper age limit being 5 years for 62% of respondents. Based on experience, younger surgeons (<10 years experience) when compared to more experienced surgeons are more likely to offer a trial of primary probing in children between 8 and 12 years age (29% versus 8%). Nasal endoscope is used by 50% (44/88) respondents during primary NLD probing. Nearly a third of the respondents (29/88) use intubation in all cases of NLD probing. Eighty one percent (71/88) of the surgeons would rather repeat NLD probing with adjunctive procedures over dacryocystorhinostomy (17%). Balloon Dacryoplasty is rarely used for CNLDO amongst our respondents.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the variation in practice pattern in the management of CNLDO across India. While there are certain trends that are global phenomena, such as the shift towards the use of a nasal endoscope; use of silicone intubation in repeated procedures and time of performing primary NLD probing; issues like the use of balloon dacryoplasty showed lesser degree of agreement.