Research Article

Endoscopic Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy Using an Otologic Drill: Bridging the Gap Between Objective Measures and Patient-Reported Outcomes

Volume: 8 Number: 3 December 23, 2025

Endoscopic Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy Using an Otologic Drill: Bridging the Gap Between Objective Measures and Patient-Reported Outcomes

Abstract

Objective: Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) bypasses an obstructed tear duct, allowing tears to drain directly into the nasal cavity. Although external and endonasal DCR approaches are effective, no universally accepted technique exists. This retrospective study evaluated the efficacy of endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (EnDCR) performed using an otologic drill, assessed by the nasolacrimal lavage test and the Lac-Q questionnaire. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analysed 20 eyes from 18 patients who underwent EnDCR between April 2021 and December 2022. Pre- and postoperative assessments included endoscopic examination, nasolacrimal lavage testing and Lac-Q scoring at ≥6 months follow-up. Results: Patients were 4 males (22.2%) and 14 females (77.8%) with a median age of 63 years. Surgery was successful in 16 eyes (80.0%) and unsuccessful in 4 eyes (20.0%). Postoperative Lac-Q scores improved significantly in the successful group, whereas complications and revision surgery were more frequent in the unsuccessful group. Symptom severity and social impact scores were strongly correlated in patients with unsuccessful outcomes. Conclusion: EnDCR using an otologic drill achieved a high success rate. The Lac-Q questionnaire provided valuable insight beyond the nasolacrimal lavage test, underscoring the importance of incorporating patient-reported outcomes in evaluating surgical success.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study strictly followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval was obtained from Health Sciences University Tepecik Research and Training Hospital ethics committee (Meeting date: 2023, Decision No: 03-04).

References

  1. 1. Purevdorj B, Dugarsuren U, Tuvaan B, Jamiyanjav B. Anatomy of lacrimal sac fossa affecting success rate in endoscopic and external dacryocystorhinostomy surgery in Mongolians. Anat Cell Biol. 2021;54(4):441–7. doi:10.5115/acb.21.081
  2. 2. Hartikainen J, Antila J, Varpula M, Puukka P, Seppä H, Grénman R. Prospective randomized comparison of endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy and external dacryocystorhinostomy. Laryngoscope. 1998;108(12):1861–6. doi:10.1097/00005537-199812000-00018
  3. 3. Dolman PJ. Comparison of external dacryocystorhinostomy with nonlaser endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy. Ophthalmology. 2003;110(1):78–84. doi:10.1016/s0161-6420(02)01452-5
  4. 4. Sipkova Z, Vonica O, Olurin O, Obi EE, Pearson AR. Assessment of patient-reported outcome and quality of life improvement following surgery for epiphora. Eye. 2017;31(12):1664–71. doi:10.1038/eye.2017.120
  5. 5. Mistry N, Rockley TJ, Reynolds T, Hopkins C. Development and validation of a symptom questionnaire for recording outcomes in adult lacrimal surgery. Rhinology. 2011;49(5):538–54. doi:10.4193/Rhino11.042
  6. 6. Caldwell GW. Two new operations for the radical cure of obstruction of the nasal duct with preservation of the canaliculi and an incidental description of a new lacrimal probe. N Y Med J. 1893;57:581. [Cited in: Önerci M. Dacryocystorhinostomy: Diagnosis and treatment of nasolacrimal canal obstructions. Rhinology. 2002;40(2):39–65]
  7. 7. Eichhorn K, Harrison AR. External vs. endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy: six of one, a half dozen of the other? Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2010;21(5):396– 403. doi:10.1097/ICU.0b013e32833ce6ee
  8. 8. Linberg JV, Anderson RL, Bumsted RM, Barreras R. Study of intranasal ostium external dacryocystorhinostomy. Arch Ophthalmol. 1982;100(11):1758–62. doi:10.1001/archopht.1982.01030040738005

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Otorhinolaryngology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

December 23, 2025

Submission Date

November 23, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 18, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 8 Number: 3

APA
Kubilay, U., Cılız, S. E., Yakut, M. A., Yagiz Agayarov, O., & Çukurova, İ. (2025). Endoscopic Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy Using an Otologic Drill: Bridging the Gap Between Objective Measures and Patient-Reported Outcomes. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy, 8(3), 97-104. https://doi.org/10.65396/ejra.1828800
AMA
1.Kubilay U, Cılız SE, Yakut MA, Yagiz Agayarov O, Çukurova İ. Endoscopic Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy Using an Otologic Drill: Bridging the Gap Between Objective Measures and Patient-Reported Outcomes. Eur J Rhinol Allergy. 2025;8(3):97-104. doi:10.65396/ejra.1828800
Chicago
Kubilay, Utku, Süleyman Emre Cılız, Mürşit Alperen Yakut, Ozlem Yagiz Agayarov, and İbrahim Çukurova. 2025. “Endoscopic Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy Using an Otologic Drill: Bridging the Gap Between Objective Measures and Patient-Reported Outcomes”. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 8 (3): 97-104. https://doi.org/10.65396/ejra.1828800.
EndNote
Kubilay U, Cılız SE, Yakut MA, Yagiz Agayarov O, Çukurova İ (December 1, 2025) Endoscopic Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy Using an Otologic Drill: Bridging the Gap Between Objective Measures and Patient-Reported Outcomes. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 8 3 97–104.
IEEE
[1]U. Kubilay, S. E. Cılız, M. A. Yakut, O. Yagiz Agayarov, and İ. Çukurova, “Endoscopic Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy Using an Otologic Drill: Bridging the Gap Between Objective Measures and Patient-Reported Outcomes”, Eur J Rhinol Allergy, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 97–104, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.65396/ejra.1828800.
ISNAD
Kubilay, Utku - Cılız, Süleyman Emre - Yakut, Mürşit Alperen - Yagiz Agayarov, Ozlem - Çukurova, İbrahim. “Endoscopic Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy Using an Otologic Drill: Bridging the Gap Between Objective Measures and Patient-Reported Outcomes”. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 8/3 (December 1, 2025): 97-104. https://doi.org/10.65396/ejra.1828800.
JAMA
1.Kubilay U, Cılız SE, Yakut MA, Yagiz Agayarov O, Çukurova İ. Endoscopic Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy Using an Otologic Drill: Bridging the Gap Between Objective Measures and Patient-Reported Outcomes. Eur J Rhinol Allergy. 2025;8:97–104.
MLA
Kubilay, Utku, et al. “Endoscopic Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy Using an Otologic Drill: Bridging the Gap Between Objective Measures and Patient-Reported Outcomes”. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy, vol. 8, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 97-104, doi:10.65396/ejra.1828800.
Vancouver
1.Utku Kubilay, Süleyman Emre Cılız, Mürşit Alperen Yakut, Ozlem Yagiz Agayarov, İbrahim Çukurova. Endoscopic Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy Using an Otologic Drill: Bridging the Gap Between Objective Measures and Patient-Reported Outcomes. Eur J Rhinol Allergy. 2025 Dec. 1;8(3):97-104. doi:10.65396/ejra.1828800