Dacryocystorhinostomy
Dacryocystorhinostomy is a bypass procedure that creates an anastomosis between the lacrimal sac and the nasal mucosa via a bony ostium. Dacryocystorhinostomy is one of the most common oculoplastics surgery performed. The procedure involves removal of bone adjacent to the nasolacrimal sac and incorporating the lacrimal sac with the lateral nasal mucosa in order to bypass the nasolacrimal duct obstruction. This allows tears to drain directly into the nasal cavity from the canaliculi. A rigid endoscope is inserted into the nasal cavity to the lacrimal sac via the lacrimal duct to explore and confirm the nature of the obstruction. This approach to DCR is now commonly performed because it avoids a facial scar, and is generally associated with less pain.