AIM: To investigate the related factors that affect the efficacy of dacryocystorhinostomy performed with a nasal endoscope in the treatment of dacryocystitis.

METHODS:We retrospectively analysed the clinical data and postoperative results of 380 patients with dacryocystitis who were treated by dacryocystorhinostomy with a nasal endoscope in our hospital from July 2015 through April 2019. We observed the functional recovery of the lacrimal bursa, nasal cavity, anastomotic orifice and lacrimal passage and analysed the related factors that may affect the postoperative condition in cases of dacryocystitis.

RESULTS: In this study, 380 patients(413 eyes)with dacryocystitis were followed up for more than 6mo. The curative effect was measured by the function of the lacrimal passage after 6mo. Twenty-seven eyes of 27 cases(6.5%)showed no healing. The results of univariate analysis indicated that the severity of nasal septum deviation, the presence of a small lacrimal sac, repeated probing of the lacrimal passage, laser treatment or catheterization of the lacrimal passage and recurrent dacryocystitis(whether discovered in a routine revisit after the operation or in the early stage of the operation)influenced the curative effect of dacryocystorhinostomy in the patients. The results of Logistic regression analysis showed that the severity of nasal septum deviation, the presence of small lacrimal bursa and regular revisits after the operation were the main risk factors affecting the curative effect of nasal dacryocystitis under a nasal endoscope.

CONCLUSION: Dacryocystorhinostomy with a nasal endoscope is effective in the treatment of dacryocystitis, including difficult cases, and the postoperative cure rate is high. Skilled surgical technique, standard postoperative treatment and good compliance by patients are crucial to the success of the operation.