Effect of Lacrimal Endoscopy on Operation Time in Silicone Tube Intubation for Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of lacrimal endoscopy on operation time in silicone tube intubation for patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction.Methods: We conducted retrograde chart review of 168 eyes of 107 patients who were diagnosed with acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction and underwent silicone tube intubation from January 2019 to February 2023. We analyzed relationship between use of lacrimal endoscopy and operation time, and effect of operation time on success rate of surgery according to use of lacrimal endoscopy.Results: Of 168 eyes, 58 eyes underwent silicone tube intubation with lacrimal endoscopy, and 110 eyes underwent silicone tube intubation without lacrimal endoscopy. Average operation time was 10.98 ± 2.24 minutes in the group with lacrimal endoscopy, and 12.44 ± 4.08 minutes in the group without lacrimal endoscopy. Operation time in the group with lacrimal endoscopy was relatively shorter and statistically significant (<i>p</i> = 0.003). When analyzing correlation between operation time and success rate, success rate decreased by 0.877 times when operation time increased by 1 minute in the entire group, and there was statistical significance (<i>p</i> = 0.022). There was no statistical significance in the correlation between operation time and success rate in the group with lacrimal endoscopy. And in the group without lacrimal endoscopy, success rate decreased by 0.865 times when operation time increased by 1 minute, and there was statistical significance (<i>p</i> = 0.019).Conclusions: In silicone tube intubation for nasolacrimal duct obstruction, Lacrimal endoscopy is considered an effective treatment that can shorten operation time and prevent complications while accurately diagnosing cause and extent of obstruction by investigating the inside of the nasolacrimal duct.