Long-term Outcomes of a Minimally Invasive Surgical Approach in Paediatric Patients with Congenital Dacryocystoceles.

Introduction: Congenital dacryocystoceles are a rare condition caused by nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Symptoms include epiphora, nasal obstruction, and swelling in the medial canthus. Treatment usually entails probing Hasner's valve open and, if necessary, intubating the nasolacrimal duct. We present a minimally invasive, endoscopic procedure with marsupialisation of the endonasal portion of the cele. The operation avoids additional manipulation of the lacrimal duct to prevent iatrogenic injury.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included a total of nineteen infants or young children (21 eyes) aged 3 days to 39 months. Two of the patients were suffering from acute respiratory distress, seven from recurrent infections with persistent epiphora, and twelve from acute dacryocystitis with orbital phlegmon.

Results: The endonasal portion of the dacryocele was detected in all cases and resected endonasally using an endoscope. Recurrences required revision surgery involving dacryocystorhinostomy after primary surgery in two patients aged of 22 and 39 months. All other seventeen patients were free of recurrence.

Summary: Our results show endoscopic endonasal marsupialisation without additional intubation or probing of the lacrimal ducts to be a successful treatment strategy for congenital dacryocystoceles. This avoids iatrogenic scarring, false passages, or postoperative bacteraemia. The surgical technique presented here shows a lower success rate in older children with a history of inflammation.