AIM: To discuss the feasibility and clinical efficacy of endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy(EN-DCR)combined with stent implantation for treatment of acute dacryocystitis.

METHODS: A total of 31 patients(32 eyes)presenting with acute dacryocystitis were treated with EN-DCR combined with stent implantation under antibiotic cover from April 2014 to December 2015. These patients were followed up for 3 to 12mo.

RESULTS: The medial canthal edema and erythema was gradually reducing within 48h in all patients. The hospitalization time took 2 to 8d(average 3.8±1.6d). Patients underwent removal of stent about 3mo after surgery. Thirty-one eyes showed no symptoms such as lacrimation or pus discharging, and irrigation of lacrimal duct was unobstructed. Irrigation of lacrimal duct was passable in 1 of 32 patients who has a relative narrow ostial. Results in this series, 31 cases were cured,1case improved, the total cure rate was 97%.

CONCLUSION: There is no evidence shown that EN-DCR combined with stent implantation can increase the risk of spreading infection through tissue planes, causing septicemia, and exacerbating inflammation. Instead, it has advantages like gradual reduction in inflammatory symptoms, economic benefits of reduced patient stay, maintenance of the orbicularis muscle lacrimal pump and absence of external scar. It is indicated that EN-DCR combined with stent implantation is a safe and feasible surgical procedure for patients with acute dacryocystitis.