The Comparision of Surgical Results of Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy in Childen and Adults

Shin, Hyoung Ho; Lee, Tae Soo; Baek, Se Hyun

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the success and complication rates of endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in children and adults.
METHODS
Fifty-six children (57 eyes) and 843 adults (870 eyes) who underwent endonasal DCR to treat nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) at the Department of Ophthalmology between April 1994 and March 2004 were included in this retrospective study.
RESULTS
The mean age of patients was 7.7+/-2.83 years (2~15 years) in children and 51.8+/-14.10 years (16~81 years) in adults, with mean follow-up periods of 28.4+/-23.62 months (10~91 months) and 14.7+/-11.08 months (9~120 months), respectively. The primary success rate in children (94.7%) was significantly higher than that in adults (86.0%). Significantly more synechia formation was found in children (26.3%) than in adults (10.4%). However, granuloma and membranous obstruction in children (respectively 21% and 7.1%) were significantly less than in adults (respectively 37.9% and 15%).
CONCLUSIONS
Although endonasal DCR in children has problems such as technical difficulty due to a narrower nasal cavity, postoperative care difficulties and higher rates of synechia formation, endonasal DCR is a safe and effective means of treating NLDO in children, with higher success rates than those in adults.