Transcanalicular endoscopic primary dacryoplasty for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction

Objectives To examine the causes of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) using dacryoendoscopy, and to evaluate the surgical outcomes of primary transcanalicular endoscopic dacryoplasty. Methods The subjects of this study were a total of 56 eyes of 46 Japanese children aged one to five years old (mean, 29.1 +/- 14.0 months old) with clinically diagnosed CNLDO. The blockage was visualized and probed using a dacryoendoscope (MD10 with a 20 G probe, Fiber Tech Co., Ltd., Japan) under general anesthesia. We used a self-retaining bicanalicular lacrimal stent (Lacrifast (R), Kaneka Co., Ltd., Japan) for nasolacrimal duct intubation. Results In each case the obstruction was found to be caused by a single focal blockage at the distal end of the duct. A nasolacrimal dacryolith was observed in 5 eyes (9%) and successfully removed using the dacryoendoscope. The success rate of probing by subsequent nasolacrimal duct intubation was 100%. No complications were observed. Conclusions We obtained a 100% success rate with primary transcanalicular endoscopic dacryoplasty for the treatment of CNLDO. Direct visualization inside the lacrimal passage allowed for precise probing, even in infants, leading to successful treatment of CNLDO without any complications.