Functional Epiphora Management Via Different Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) Techniques

Non-endoscopic Endonasal, Transcanalicular, or External Dacryocystorhinostomy for Functional Epiphora: Which is Better?

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT04952454

Enrollment

135

Registered

2021-07-07

Start date

2021-05-01

Completion date

2021-06-01

Last updated

2021-07-07

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Functional Epiphora (Tearing Without Any Anatomical Block)

Brief summary

135 eyes of 135 patients treated between 2005 and 2017 will be included in this study. The diagnosis of functional epiphora was made based on a patent lacrimal system with a delay in the fluorescein dye disappearance test (FDDT) or dacryoscintigraphy (DSG) without any ocular surface or eyelid abnormalities. The absence of epiphora and normalization of FDDT postoperatively was defined as success. The study's hypothesis is that external DCR with a suitable technique will have better results compared to endonasal and transcanalicular DCR

Interventions

PROCEDUREExternal Dacryocystorhinostomy

The resistance of the lacrimal drainage is lowered by creating a new ostium between the lacrimal sac and nasal cavity via skin incision.

PROCEDUREEndonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy

The resistance of the lacrimal drainage is lowered by creating a new ostium between the lacrimal sac and nasal cavity via endonasal route.

PROCEDURETranscanalicular Dacryocystorhinostomy

The resistance of the lacrimal drainage is lowered by creating a new ostium between the lacrimal sac and nasal cavity via transcanalicular route.

Study design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

CROSSOVER

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Age

21 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* patent lacrimal irrigation and delay in the lacrimal transit time demonstrated by fluorescein dye disappearance test (FDDT) or a dacryoscintigraphy (DSG)

Exclusion criteria

* Dry eye (tear break up time less than 10 seconds), ocular surface disorders, eyelid malposition or laxity, orbicularis weakness, partial block or stenosis of the lacrimal drainage, history of previous nasal, lacrimal, or ophthalmic surgeries, and a postoperative follow-up time less than six months

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Percentage of patients who report resolution of theri tearing and normalization of fluorescein dye disappearance test.	Last follow-up time, approximately 6 months

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Number of patients who have continuing epiphora after the surgery with an anatomically blocked tear duct.	Last follow-up time, approximately 6 months

Countries

Canada, Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026