Abstract:  Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of utilizing fully biodegradable sinus drug scaffolds in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy for the treatment of chronic dacryocystitis. Design Retrospective case series. Participants From February 2021 to February 2024, 286 patients (286 eyes) underwent endoscopic dacryocys torhinostomy for chronic dacryocystitis in Nanjing Aier Eye Hospital. Method  The patient's medical records were reviewed. 286 patients were divided into three groups: 94 cases with simple dacryocystorhinostomy, 95 cases with dacryocystorhinostomy combined with RS tube insertion, and 97 cases with fully degradable sinus drug stent used as stent support between the lacrimal sac and nasal mucosa during surgery (with a specification of 25 mm×14 mm and 70 degrees). A one-year postoperative follow-up was conducted. The criteria for effective treatment are unobstructed irrigation of the lacrimal passage, no or reduced overflow of tears. Main Outcome Measures The effectiveness rate and the number of endoscopic interventions post-surgery. Results Following a one-year postoperative follow-up, the cure rate for cases utilizing fully degradable sinus drug stents intraoperatively was 97.9%, with an overall effectiveness rate of 100%. The effectiveness rate for simple dacryocystorhinostomy stood at 92.6%, whereas for dacryocystorhinostomy combined with RS tube insertion, it was 94.7%. The statistical difference in effectiveness rates among the three groups was significant (P=0.013). The number of endoscopic interventions within one year after surgery were (1.54±0.60), (2.08±0.54), and (0.13±0.37) times, respectively (P=0.000). Conclusion The combination of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy and fully degradable sinus drug stent has significant clinical advantages than simple dacryocystorhinostomy and dacryocystorhinostomy combined with RS tube insertion in the treatment of chronic dacryocystitis and is worthy of clinical application and promotion.

Key words: Chronic dacryocystitis, Endoscopic nasal dacryocystostomy, Nasal endoscopy, Sinus drug-eluting stent