Abstract
Objectives
To measure the effect of Endonasal Dacrocystorhinostomy (DCR) on the health status of patients, using a validated outcomes measure, the Glasgow Benefit Inventory.
Methods
Postal questionnaire with telephone follow-up of patients undergoing Endonasal DCR in two otolaryngology (ORL) departments in Scotland between 2005 and 2007. All adult patients who had achieved greater than 12 months follow-up since surgery were included in this study. The GBI score ranged from −100 to +100 with 0 reflecting no change.
Results
92 of 123 patients (75%) completed the questionnaire; the mean age was 59 years and the sex ratio m:f was 1:1.8. The mean overall GBI for this intervention was +32.7 (95% confidence intervals 27.8-; 37.6). The ‘general wellbeing’ subset improvement was +44.2 (38.5 − 49.9), physical wellbeing +12.9 (6.9-18.9) & social wellbeing +14.0 (8.4-19.5). The patients were grouped according to the indication for intervention: Obstruction of lacrimal system GBI +32.7 (26.3-37.1), mucocele +40.1 (28.7-514), dacrocystitis +19.4 (10.0-28.9) & functional +9.7 (-31.1-; 50.56). There were 16 revision cases, the GBI for these patients was +49.5 (35.3-63.7).
Conclusions
The GBI provides a measure of the effect of an ORL intervention on the health of a patient. Endonasal DCR scores highly when compared with a number of other rhinological procedures including rhinoplasty (GBI +20), endoscopic sinus surgery (GBI +23), and septal surgery (mean ranges from +6 to +24). Endonasal DCR is a successful intervention with demonstrable health benefits to the patient, especially for revision cases.
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