Endoscopic DCR without stents: clinical guidelines and procedure

It is a retrospective analysis of cases of endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in whom stents were not inserted after completion of surgery for the last 2 years. Thirty-five patients were included in this study, and selection of patients was done depending on both clinical findings preoperatively and on the operative findings during surgery. These criteria ensure that the level of obstruction is postsaccal, and good surgical procedure with maximal sac exposure and marsupialization. When all criteria were present, stents were not inserted. Follow-ups range from 6 to 12 months (average of 8 months). Success was determined by symptomatic relief of epiphora and dacryocystitis, together with the endoscopic findings of free passage of the fluorescein dye that is applied to the conjunctiva to the nasal cavity. In this study, all the patients had both symptomatic and clinical improvements making the success rate 100%. As a conclusion, stents are not always necessary after endoscopic DCR.