Analysis of the effectiveness of bicanalicular intubation of lacrimal ducts in endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

Endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (EE DCR) is the most common operation in lacrimal duct obstruction (LDO). The need for LDO intubation during its performance is an urgent issue. Objective. Comparison of effectiveness and frequency of postoperative complications in EE DCR with LDO intubation and without stenting. Patients and methods. The study included 68 patients (80 cases) with primary postsaccal obliteration of the nasolacrimal duct after EE DCR. Patients were divided into 2 comparable groups: bicanallicular silicone lacrimal implant was placed in patients of the 1st group for 6 to 12 weeks, patients of the 2nd group underwent plastic formation of dacryostoma without subsequent intubation. The period of postoperative follow-up was 6 months. The anatomical and functional results were evaluated both by subjective (determination of lacrimation severity using the Munk scale) and by objective criteria (measurement of the tear meniscus height with optical coherence tomography, tests with fluorescein, irrigation of the lacrimal ducts, results of rhinoendoscopy). Results. Treatment effectiveness was comparable in both groups. In the 1st group, complications were more frequent in the postoperative period, which decreased the performance of interventions. Conclusion. No significant differences in the effectiveness of EE DCR with LDO intubation and without it have been revealed. Thus, intubation can contribute to the development of a number of complications in the postoperative period, so it is advisable to perform it only in presence of appropriate indications, that requires further study aimed at developing a standardized algorithm.