Long‐term outcomes after endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy without mucosal flap preservation

Objective A growing body of evidence demonstrates that endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (eDCR) techniques provide comparable results to conventional external techniques. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long‐term outcomes after powered endoscopic DCR without preservation of mucosal flaps for the management of acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction performed by a single surgical team. Methods A retrospective review was performed of patients with epiphora secondary to acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction who underwent eDCR without mucosal flap preservation from May 2003 to April 2013 at a tertiary referral medical center. Main outcome measures were subjective improvement in epiphora and assessment of anatomic patency based on lacrimal irrigation and endoscopic evaluation. Results Eighty patients (69 primary and 11 revision) totaling 103 procedures (87 primary, 16 revision) were available for analysis at a mean follow‐up of 28.7 (range 6–114) months. At the most recent follow‐up, 92 of 103 (89.3%) procedures had complete resolution of epiphora, and 10 of 103 procedures achieved mild intermittent epiphora. Complete resolution of epiphora was noted in 93.1% (81 of 87) of primary procedures and 68.8% (11 of 16) of revision procedures. Objective anatomic patency was confirmed in 98% (101 of 103). A revision procedure was required in 5.8% (6 of 103). Conclusion Outcomes of powered eDCR without the preservation of mucosal flaps compare favorably to previously reported results in the literature. These long‐term results suggest that mucosal flap preservation is not required to achieve successful outcomes with eDCR. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 130:12–17, 2020