ABSTRACT

This article compares the efficacy of transcanalicular laser assisted dacryocystorhinostomy (TL DCR) with conventional external dacryocystorhinostomy (Ex DCR). All patients were randomly divided into two groups – Group A included patients who underwent TL DCR and Group B included patients who underwent Ex DCR. 168 operations were done in a total of 163 patients; 79 patients in group A and 84 patients in group B. The overall success rate was 90.12% in group A and 95.40% in group B. The mean total surgical time was 17.41 min in group A and 49.49 min in group B. The duration of stay in hospital was about 3 hours for group A and about 48 hours for group B. Intra and post operative complications were more in group B than in group A. TL DCR can offer a minimally invasive technique with comparable results and better patient satisfaction than Ex DCR.