Mitomycin-C in dacryocystorhinostomy: From experimentation to implementation and the road ahead: A review

Clinical outcomes of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy without preserving mucosal flaps in combination with silicone stent and steroid-soaked gelfoam

PURPOSE

To report clinical outcomes of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR) combined with stenting and without preserving the nasal and lacrimal mucosal flaps.

METHODS

In this prospective interventional case series, patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction who were candidates for En-DCR were enrolled. Patients with a known history of previous DCR, sinus surgery, rhinoplasty, nasal trauma, nasal anomaly, canalicular or punctal occlusion, or less than one year of follow-up were excluded. All patients underwent En-DCR and stenting followed by ostial packing using Gelfoam soaked with dexamethasone. The patients were assessed preoperatively, on the first postoperative day, after 2 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year. Postoperative outcomes were anatomical and functional success, defined as patent irrigation test and resolution of epiphora, respectively. The nasolacrimal drainage system was evaluated anatomically and functionally during the follow-up period.

RESULTS

Eighty-three patients with a mean age of 54.36±15.27 years were enrolled. Of these, 61 patients (73.5%) were women. The mean duration of follow-up was 20.7±6.9 months. Anatomical success was achieved in all patients and remained stable during the study duration and at 1 year. Functional failure leading to epiphora was observed in 1 patient 3 months after surgery and resolved after re-DCR at year 1. Preoperative tenderness and purulent reflux were observed in 12%, 33.7% of which completely resolved postoperatively. Moderate and severe hemorrhage was observed in 12 (14.5%) and 2 (2.4%) patients, respectively.

CONCLUSION

En-DCR without mucosal flap preservation in combination with silicone stent and steroid-soaked Gelfoam is a safe and highly successful procedure in patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Balloon Dacryocystoplasty with Pushed Monocanalicular Intubation as a Primary Management for Primary Acquired Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

Given the improvement in the instrument and techniques, novel surgical interventions emerged to avoid the osteotomy from the gold standard dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) for treating primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO). This study's aim is to compare the surgical outcomes of antegrade balloon dacryocystoplasty (DCP) with pushed monocanalicular intubation (MCI) to balloon DCP alone in patients with complete PANDO. Adult patients with complete PANDO receiving balloon DCP followed by pushed MCI or balloon DCP alone from December 2014 to May 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 37 eyes of 29 patients were treated with balloon DCP with pushed MCI for 1 month, whereas 35 eyes of 28 patients were treated with balloon DCP alone. The success rates at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after operation were 89.2%, 73.0%, and 70.2%, respectively, in balloon DCP with MCI group, and 62.9%, 62.9%, and 60.0%, respectively, in the balloon DCP alone group. The balloon DCP with pushed MCI group had a better success rate but only reached statistical significance at 1 month postoperatively (p < 0.01). Subgroup analysis was performed based on age. The success rate in those under 65 in the combined balloon DCP with MCI group was significantly higher than in balloon DCP alone group (72.7% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.004), whereas there was no significant difference between those aged at least 65 in the combined group and the balloon DCP alone group (69.2% vs. 83.3%, p = 0.2). Conclusively, there was no significant difference in the success rate between antegrade balloon DCP with and without pushed MCI in general. Nevertheless, the former procedure was associated with significantly higher surgical success rate than the latter in younger patients.

A Comparison of Transcanalicular, Endonasal, and External Dacryocystorhinostomy in Functional Epiphora: A Minimum Two-Year Follow-Up Study

Purpose

To compare the outcomes of transcanalicular diode laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy (TCL-DCR), nonendoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (NEN-DCR), and external dacryocystorhinostomy (EXT-DCR) as first-line treatments for functional epiphora.

Methods

This multicenter, retrospective, case-control study included 135 eyes of 135 patients with functional epiphora (86 females and 49 males). Functional epiphora was diagnosed based on a patent lacrimal system with a delay in the fluorescein dye disappearance test (FDDT) or dacryoscintigraphy (DSG) and no ocular surface or eyelid abnormalities. The patients were treated with TCL-DCR (2008–2011) or Ext-DCR (2005–2008, 2011–2017) at Beyoglu Eye Research Hospital (Istanbul, Turkey) and NEN-DCR at Carrot Eye Surgery Clinic affiliated with the McMaster University (Hamilton, ON, Canada) (2010–2016). Success was defined as the absence of epiphora and the normalization of an earlier delayed FDDT after surgery.

Results

The TCL-DCR, NEN-DCR, and EXT-DCR groups consisted of 38, 47, and 50 eyes with 25.9, 44.2, and 45.9 months of follow-up. The success rate for TCL-DCR was 65.8%, 70.2% for NEN-DCR, and 84.0% for EXT-DCR. During the follow-up period, 13.2% of TCL-DCR cases and 6.4% of NEN-DCR cases developed an anatomic obstruction of the lacrimal system.

Conclusion

The EXT-DCR group had a higher success rate in the management of functional epiphora than the NEN-DCR and TCL-DCR groups and was significantly safer in terms of an iatrogenic anatomic block of the lacrimal system.

Efficacy of probing adjunctive with low-dose mitomycin-C irrigation for the treatment of epiphora in adults with nasolacrimal duct stenosis

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the study was to investigate the efficacy of adjunctive low-dose mitomycin-C (MMC) during successful lacrimal duct probing in adults with nasolacrimal ducts (NLDs) stenosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This is a prospective case–control study on patients with NLD stenosis who were randomized into two groups. All patients underwent probing without or with an application of MMC. Former group received 0.2 mg/ml MMC irrigation for 5 min. The main outcome measures were objective evaluation of patency with irrigation, as well as patients' subjective assessment of improvement.

RESULTS:

There were 73 eyes in 58 consecutive patients; patient mean age ranged from 19 to 78 years (mean 44 years). Female included larger group of patients (63%) and mean duration of the symptoms was 26.1 months (range, 2–120 months). After mean follow-up of 11 months (range, 9–14 months), 23 (60%) of the 38 eyes in the MMC groups and 8 (22%) of the 35 eyes in control group had complete response and remained symptom free. This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.005). According to the patient's satisfaction, epiphora was partially improved in 6 (17%) eyes of control group and 4 (10%) eyes in MMC group. Application of MMC has a better outcome in patients with severe stenosis (P = 0.007); patients who had symptoms more than 12 months (P = 0.02) and patients with constant epiphora were compared with intermittent symptoms (P = 0.001). No complications were detected during patients follow-up.

CONCLUSION:

This study suggests acceptable long-term results for probing adjunctive with MMC irrigation for adults with NLD stenosis that can be recommended as a simple and effective procedure for these patients.

Long-term results of a balloon-assisted endoscopic approach in failed dacryocystorhinostomies

Purpose

Endoscopic endonasal balloon-assisted dacryoplasty is a minimally invasive surgical approach that can be applied after failure of dacryocystorhinostomy with recurrence of distal acquired lacrimal obstruction.

Methods

At the Department of Otolaryngology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan (Italy), from December 2016 to October 2020, 14 patients underwent trans-nasal balloon-assisted dacryoplasty after a failed dacryocystorhinostomy (both external and endoscopic endonasal). The routinary pre-operative work-up included multidisciplinary study of the lacrimal disease, which consisted in primary ophthalmological and otorhinolaryngological visits associated with nasal endoscopy, in which a radiological exam was added if needed. The surgical approach includes pneumatic enlargement of the stenotic rhinostomy, created during the primary dacryocystorhinostomy, using a high-pressure trans-nasal balloon catheter. Anatomical success was considered when the ostium was patent upon irrigation, while functional success was considered as resolution of epiphora or free lacrimal flow on functional test.

Results

Among 14 patients included and after a mean follow-up of 19.5 months (range 13–51 months), anatomic success was achieved in 100% of patients and functional success was achieved in the 85.7% (12/14). Operative time ranged from 9 to 28 min (mean 18 min) and no complications were reported.

Conclusion

Trans-nasal balloon-assisted dacryoplasty is a mini-invasive surgical approach to treat failed dacryocystorhinostomies with reliable and stable outcomes in the long term. The absence of post-surgical complications, high success rate and short operative time are the main features of this innovative procedure.

Dacriocistorrinostomía externa, conjuntivo-dacriocistorrinostomía y cirugía de la vía lagrimal en el meato inferior

Introducción y objetivo: Realizar una revisión sobre la dacriocistorrinostomía externa (DCR-ext), sondaje de la vía lagrimal y conjuntivodacriocistorrinostomía(CDCR) empleadas ante la obstrucción de la vía lagrimal. Material y métodos : Revisión bibliográfica sobre técnicas quirúrgicas mencionadas. Discusión: La obstrucción de la vía lagrimal puede dividirse según su localización en proximales y distales. Ante obstrucciones distales, la DCR ext es la técnica gold standard con porcentajes de éxito superiores al 95%, y la CDCR en caso de obstrucciones proximales.El sondaje de la vía lagrimal es la primera indicación quirúrgica en obstrucción congénita.

Influence of Surgical Techniques on Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objective

Endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (END-DCR) has increased as a valid alternative to the classic external approach to treat distal lacrimal obstruction. Different surgical varieties of the END-DCR approach have been proposed with no clear understanding of the best surgical technique.

Data Source

A comprehensive research was performed in PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases with a final search on March 2020.

Review Methods

The aim of this search was to identify relevant END-DCR procedures performed with mechanical (Mecn-END-DCR) and powered (Pow-END-DCR) approaches to compare their functional success rate. In addition, the influence of mucosal flaps was evaluated. Articles were selected only if they were published later than 2000 and had at least 50 single-clinician surgical procedures performed. Excluded articles included acute infections, cancers, mixed cohort study, and revision cases.

Results

A total of 11,445 publications were identified and 2741 reviewed after screening; 15 articles were included after full-text review (0.6% of the initial articles reviewed). The mean success rate was 91.34% (95% CI, 87.1%-94.3%) for Pow-END-DCR and 89.5% (95% CI, 86.5%-91.9%) for Mecn-END-DCR with no significant difference between the surgical approaches ( P = .43). For mucosal flaps performed during END-DCR, the mean success rate was 89% (95% CI, 86%-91%) if mucosal flaps were used and 92% (95% CI, 88%-95%) if they were not used, with no statistical difference present ( P = .14).

Conclusions

Our analyses suggest that there are no differences in outcomes between mechanical and powered approaches in END-DCR and that mucosal flap preservation is not essential to achieve a superior END-DCR outcome.

Impact of Post-Surgical Therapies on Endoscopic and External Dacryocystorhinostomy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Epiphora is a common ophthalmologic sign that is most commonly caused by distal acquired lacrimal obstruction. Recent data have demonstrated that external dacryocystorhinostomy (EXT-DCR) and endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (END-DCR) can be considered the treatments of choice. However, different post-surgical medical therapies are available and are currently used to improve surgical outcomes, although no direct comparison has been performed.

Objective

To analyse the influence of post-surgical medical treatments on END-DCR and EXT-DCR outcomes.

Methods

A structured search was conducted using the U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed), EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases with a final search performed in May 2020. The research identified papers published later than 2000 with at least 50 single clinician procedures performed in EXT-DCR and END-DCR. Articles that studied acute infections, revision cases, mixed cohort studies of acquired and congenital obstruction, and tumour were excluded. The influence of systemic antibiotic/steroids, local application of mitomycin C, nasal/ocular antibiotic, nasal/ocular steroids and nasal decongestants was analysed.

Results

In total, 11,445 papers were selected, 2,741 of which were reviewed after screening, and 18 included after full text review (0.6% of the initial articles reviewed) which involved 3,590 procedures. Considering the low number of publications on EXT-DCR, statistical analysis of post-surgical therapy was not feasible. In END-DCR, the analyses were performed only for nasal steroids (p = 0.58), oral antibiotics (p = 0.45) and nasal decongestant (p = 0.27), which demonstrated no meaningful influence. Given the variable association between adjunctive medical therapies, pharmacologic molecular heterogeneity and modality/concentration of application, these results should be considered critically. Additionally, no differences were seen for application of silicone stenting, whereas, no statistical analysis was performed for mitomycin C.

Conclusions

Given the high success rate of EXT-DCR and END-DCR and the heterogeneity of literature data, the effective influence of post-surgical medical therapy is difficult to identify. Future large prospective randomized studies could help in detecting the optimal adjunctive therapy for these surgeries.

Intra-Operative Mitomycin-C as Adjuvant Therapy in External and Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of mitomycin-C (MMC) on the success of external (Ex-DCR) or endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR).

METHOD

A systematic review of randomized clinical trials of Ex- or En-DCR with and without the use of MMC to treat primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) was done. Two authors independently searched six databases from 1990 to 2019, using the terms "dacryocystorhinostomy" and "mitomycin-C." Statistical and meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3 software.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven studies involving 2158 surgeries were included in this systematic review. The Ex-DCR group comprised 14 studies [odds ratio (OR): 2.74; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.54-4.87; I² = 30%], while the En-DCR group 13 studies (OR: 1.69; 95% CI 1.21-2.37; I² = 0%). The use of MMC slightly increased the success rate of Ex- or En-DCR (OR: 2.1; 95% CI 1.52-2.9; I² = 14%).

CONCLUSION

The intraoperative use of MMC is safe and slightly improves the success rate of Ex- or En-DCR. However, the evidence was very weak.

Five- and 10-Year Outcomes for Primary Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy: Failure Rate and Risk Factors

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (eDCR) is the preferred approach for nasolacrimal duct obstruction, yet quality data on long-term outcomes is lacking.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective study in a single, academic institution.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the 5- and 10-year success rates of eDCR, and its associated risks.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All eDCRs conducted at Kaplan Medical Center between the years 2002-2017 were included. For long-term follow-up analysis, two subgroups with a minimum of documented 5- and 10-year follow-up after surgery were defined. Surgical success was defined by both anatomical (observed patent lacrimal flow) and functional (symptomatic relief) success. Data was collected from the hospital's electronic medical records and was completed by phone interviews. Pre-, intra-, and postoperative variables were collected and stratified by multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

After exclusions, 321, 168, and 65 patients were included for immediate, 5- and 10-year outcome analysis, respectively. Overall success rates were 92.5%, 86.3%, and 80%, respectively. The anatomical success rates were 93.8%, 89.9%, and 86.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that older age (P < .001, P = .001) previous smoking (P = .043, P = .037), and postoperative complains of epiphora (even when a successful irrigation was observed, P < .001, P = .01) were all associated with eDCR failure 5 and 10 years following surgery. Male gender was also associated with eDCR failure (5 years, P = .045; 10 years, P = .063).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite decreased rates over time, eDCR is beneficial for the majority of patients also at 10 years following surgery. Older age, smoking, postoperative epiphora, and male gender are related to long-term failure and should be discussed with the patients before surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3b Laryngoscope, 131:10-16, 2021.

Efficacy of Intraoperative Mitomycin-C in Vasovasostomy Procedure: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background

Two-six percentage of vasectomized men will ultimately seek vasectomy reversal, which late stricture and obstruction after operation are relatively common. To find a method for improving vasovasostomy outcomes, we used intra-operative local mitomycin-C (MMC) preventing possible fibrosis and stricture.

Materials and Methods

In this randomized clinical trial, 44 patients were assigned to two groups randomly during a one-year study and the data of 40 patients were analyzed. The patients were followed up for 6 months after surgery. The case group (n=19) was treated by vasovasostomy with intra-operative local MMC. The control group (n=21) underwent standard vasovasostomy.

Results

Mean sperm count in MMC group was significantly higher than the controls. The sperm count of more than 20 million/ml was respectively 53% and 14% in MMC and control groups. In a subgroup where the interval between vasectomy and reversal was 5-10 years, post-reversal azoospermia was absent in MMC group, but 50% of the controls were still azoospermic. In addition, 80% of MMC group had more than 20 million/ml sperms, but all of the controls had less than 20 million/ml sperms. No significant complication was seen.

Conclusion

Intra-operative local MMC in vasovasostomy can be regarded as a safe and efficient technique which has several advantages including lower cost. Increase of sperm count is the main effect of local MMC applica- tion that is more prominent when the interval between vasectomy and reversal is 5-10 years (Registration number: IRCT2015092324166N1).

Outcomes of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy: Experience of a fellowship trainee at a tertiary care center

Aim:

The study aims to report a single trainee's experience of learning and performing endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR).

Settings and Design:

This study was a retrospective, interventional case series.

Subjects and Methods:

Fifty-four eyes of fifty patients presenting at a tertiary eye care center over 1 year were included in the study. All cases underwent endoscopic DCR with mitomycin-C and silicone intubation. The parameters studied included demographics, clinical features, intraoperative details, and postoperative ostium evaluation. Stent removal and nasal endoscopy were performed at 6 weeks and a further ostium evaluation at 3 and 6 months following surgery. Anatomical success rate was defined as patent irrigation, and functional success rate was defined as positive functional endoscopic dye test and absence of epiphora.

Results:

Fifty-four eyes of fifty patients were operated, and three cases were lost to follow-up after surgery. The mean age at presentation was 34 (4–75) years. Clinical diagnosis included primary acquired nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction in 72% (39/54), acute dacryocystitis in 15% (8/54), failed DCR in 7% (4/54), and persistent congenital NLD obstruction in 5% (3/54). The first five cases needed intervention by the mentor for superior osteotomy. Common variations in anatomical landmarks were posterior location of sac, large ethmoidal bulla, high internal common opening, and thick maxillary bone. Surgical time taken in the last 27 eyes was significantly lesser compared to the surgical duration taken in the initial 27 cases (P < 0.05). Anatomical and functional success rate was 94% (48/51) at 6 months follow-up period.

Conclusions:

Endoscopic En-DCR has a good success rate when performed by oculoplastic surgery trainees. Nasal anatomical variations, instrument handling, and adaptation to monocular view of endoscope are few of the challenges for beginners. Structured skill transfer can help trainees to learn and perform En-DCR with acceptable success rates.

Causes of unsatisfactory results of the use of mitomycin-C in endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy

Purpose

To study the antifibrotic effectiveness of mitomycin-C in the tissues of the ostium site after it application for endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

Material and methods

The study included 45 patients (48 cases) with primary obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct. All patients underwent endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (EEDCR). At the final stage of the operation, a swab with MMC was placed in the region of the formed ostium at a concentration of 0.2 mg/ml for 3 min. An ostium was not intubated. After that, biopsies of the mucous of the nasal cavity and lacrimal sac were performed to study the morphological changes that occur in the tissues overtime, as well as to calculate the concentration of the drug in the tissues.

Results

According to the chemical analysis, the concentration of MMC immediately after application was 0.626 ± 0.176 μg/g; after 30 min the concentration of the drug was reduced to 0.23 ± 0.06 μg/g; a day after the operation the drug was not found in the tissue samples. Morphological study established that the repair processes occurring in the mucosa of the nasal cavity and the lacrimal sac after EEDCR are similar to the reparative processes without the use of MMC. The effectiveness of surgical treatment: “positive results” - 77.1% of cases, “relapses” - 22.9% of cases.

Conclusions

Application of MMC for prevention of excessive scarring after EEDCR is impractical as it is not possible to achieve antifibrotic concentration of the drug at dacryocystorhinostomy ostium site using this method.

Comparing outcomes of pediatric and adult external dacryocystorhinostomy in Nepal: Is age a prognostic factor?

We determine whether age is a prognostic factor for surgical outcomes of external dacryocystorhinostomy (Ex-DCR). This retrospective cohort study conducted at Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology (Kathmandu, Nepal) compared pediatric Ex-DCR procedures (age ≤ 15 years) to adult Ex-DCR procedures (age > 15 years) and was performed between January 2013 and December 2013, with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months. Primary outcome measure was rate of success, defined as complete resolution of subjective symptom(s) of epiphora (subjective success), combined with patent lacrimal passage on syringing (anatomical success) at last follow-up visit. Other outcome measures included clinical presentation, diagnosis, intraoperative complications and post-operative complications. In total, 154 Ex-DCR procedures were included, with an age range of 8 months to 81 years (mean age 36.4 ± 21.0 years). In all, 38 pediatric Ex-DCR procedures were compared to 116 adult procedures. Success rates were 97% in the pediatric group and 95% in the adult group, with no clinically or statistically significant difference in success rate or complication rate between groups (p > 0.05). Our study yielded high success rates of Ex-DCR in both pediatric and adult age groups suggesting that Ex-DCR remains an optimal treatment choice for all age groups. With no difference in surgical outcomes between pediatric and adult patients, including complication rate, we conclude that age is not a prognostic factor for Ex-DCR failure. We do not recommend adjuvant therapy for pediatric patients.

Indian Survey on Practice Patterns of Lacrimal and Eyelid Disorders (iSUPPLE) Report 2: Mitomycin-C and Lacrimal Stents in Dacryocystorhinostomy

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to assess practice patterns on the use of intraoperative Mitomycin-C (MMC) and lacrimal stents (intubation) in dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) for nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) among oculoplastic surgeons in India. The survey was aimed at obtaining data on the duration of stent placement and specifics regarding MMC usage namely, concentration and duration of application.

METHODS

A survey that included questions on the management of lacrimal disorders was sent in April 2015 to members of the Oculoplastic Association of India, through an email communication. The results were tabulated and analyzed.

RESULTS

External DCR is the preferred surgery of choice to treat NLDO for most oculoplastic surgeons (86%) surveyed. A majority (58%) of the respondents do not place stents during DCR routinely in their practice. Lesser experienced oculoplastic surgeons (<10 years of experience) when compared with more experienced surgeons were more likely to place stents routinely in their DCRs (59% versus 19%; P = 0.0002). Of the special situations that the respondents would consider stent placement, the most common scenarios were the presence of coexisting canalicular pathology followed by cases of previously failed DCRs. The preferred duration for stent removal was 3 months (48%). Intraoperative MMC was used routinely by only 36% of the respondents. The most common condition where they would consider intraoperative MMC was previously failed DCRs. Three minutes (25%) and 0.2 mg/mL (30%) were the preferred duration of application and concentration of MMC, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

External DCR is the most preferred surgery for NLDO; in comparison, endoscopic DCR enjoys less popularity as the surgical procedure of choice in NLDO. Adjunctive procedures, namely intraoperative MMC and stenting of the lacrimal passages, are not routinely performed; however, previously failed DCRs are common indications when the respondents may use MMC and/or lacrimal stents. Three months is the preferred duration for stent removal. The trends regarding the concentration of MMC and the application show considerable variation, underscoring the need for evidence-based guidelines to assist oculoplastic surgeons.

Efficacy of adjunctive mitomycin C in transcanalicular diode laser dacryocystorhinostomy

The objective of the study was to compare the success rate of transcanalicular laser dacryocystorhinostomy (TCL-DCR) with or without the use of adjunctive mitomycin C (MMC) in cases with primary nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). This retrospective study was comprised of 68 patients with uncomplicated primary NLDO. There were two groups in the study: the Group 1 (n = 35) patients underwent TCL-DCR surgery with MMC and the Group 2 (n = 33) patients underwent TCL-DCR surgery without MMC. All patients had bicanalicular silicone tube intubation. The main outcome measures were patent osteotomy as visualized endoscopically and patent nasolacrimal irrigation. The follow-up period was 12 months. All patients had unilateral TCL-DCR with silicone tube intubation. Six months following surgery, the silicone tubes were removed. At the final evaluation, success rates were 80 % in Group 1 and 78.8 % in Group 2. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.52). No complications related to MMC usage were recorded during the study period. Intraoperative use of MMC has no beneficial effect on the success rate in TCL-DCR.