Analysis of surgical interventions outcomes in patients with nasolacrimal duct obliteration due to radioiodine therapy

Relevance. Nasolacrimal duct obstruction occurs in 9% of patients after radioiodine therapy for thyroid cancer. The surgical interventions used in this case have not been studied enough; indications for certain operations have not been developed. Purpose. To evaluate clinical efficacy of surgical treatment in patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction due to radioactive iodine therapy. Material and methods. The outcomes of 47 surgeries in patients with secondary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction due to radioiodine therapy were analyzed, among them 30 cases of dacryocystorinostomy and 17 cases of recanalization of the tear ducts. In 15 cases, dacryocystorinostomy was supplemented by the formation of an anastomosis in the area of the Hasner's valve. A comparative analysis of the effectiveness of surgical intervention depending on the localization of obstruction was carried out. Results. Dacryocystorinostomy was effective in 90% of cases, recanalization of the tear ducts – in 13% of cases. The analysis revealed that in cases of obstruction at the level of the lacrimal sac, the success of dacryocystorinostomy was 100% (5 observations), with obstruction at the level of the middle part of the nasolacrimal duct – 85.7% (12 observations), with obstruction at the level of the Hasner's valve – 100% (6 observations). Recanalization of the tear ducts was characterized by success in 100% of cases (1 observation) with obstruction of the middle part of the nasolacrimal duct and in 6.3% of cases (1 observation) with obstruction at the level of Hasner's valve. Conclusion. Dacryocystorinostomy is an effective intervention in patients with secondary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction due to radioiodine therapy. Recanalization of the tear ducts is characterized by low efficiency. The analysis of the effectiveness of these interventions, considering the localization of obstruction of the tear ducts, showed that the effectiveness of surgical treatment may vary depending on the level of obstruction. In cases of anatomically low obstruction of the tear ducts, dacryocystorinostomy was supplemented by the formation of an anastomosis in the area of the Hasner's valve. Recanalization of the tear ducts was characterized by greater efficiency in cases where the level of obstruction of the tear ducts was higher than the Hasner's valve than directly at Hasner's valve. The choice of treatment tactics for patients with secondary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction due to radioiodine therapy should be differentiated depending on the localization of the tear duct obstruction. Key words: tear ducts, radioiodine, dacryocystorhinostomy, nasolacrimal duct intubation