With the introduction of endoscopes for endonasal surgery, there have
been an increasing number of endonasal dacryocystorhinostomies (DCR) p
erformed. The advantages of the endonasal approach include the avoidan
ce of an external facial scar and reduced risk of damage to the medial
canthal ligament. We described our experience with the use of the Hal
l Osteon drill for endoscopic DCR. This procedure has been found to be
technically reliable giving satisfactory post-operative results in 16
patients suffering from nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The follow up
was up to 12 months with a mean of 5 months. Three patients who had re
sidual post-operative epiphora were considered as failures. There were
no major complications and minor complications included one case of p
eriorbital ecchymosis, one unretrieved silicone tube and a minor vesti
bule abrasion. The preliminary results suggest that the endoscopic dri
ll-assisted DCR could offer a reliable treatment in patients with epip
hora due to nasolacrimal duct obstruction.