Summary Importance of Endoscope in Lacrimal Surgery

Tear fluid drains into the lacrimal passage after making preoccular tear film. Obstruction of the lacrimal passage induces epiphora. Most lacrimal passage obstructions are healed by porbing, direct silicone intubation and dacryocystorhinostomy and their combinations. The lacrimal passage consists of the upper and lower puncta, upper and lower canaliculi, common canaliculus, lacrimal sac and the nasolacrimal duct, which drains into the inferior nasal meatus. Therefore, it is necessary to see the opening of the nasolacrimal duct using an endoscope, inserting it into the inferior nasal meatus when performing the probing and/or direct silicone intubation. Oberbation of the rhinostomy using an endoscope is important for dacryocystorhinostomy. Also a necessity is irrigation, using endoscope not only for the examination during operation but also for the postoperative examination and treatment.