Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

Summary

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

Description

Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is used to treat patients diagnosed with lacrimal sac or nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). This can be caused by chronic stenosis of the nasolacrimal duct and can be congenital or acquired. NLDO is common but is not a serious condition.

Presenting symptoms include excessive epiphora (tearing) and dacryocystitis (infection). Usually, cases have been refractory to conventional treatment such as warm compresses, massage and probing the nasal passage. If NLDO is left untreated, these symptoms persist and may cause embarrassment for the patient.

The external DCR is standard treatment.  Endoscopic DCR is a minimally invasive procedure performed by ophthalmologists and otorhinolaryngologists to unblock tear ducts and correct other causes of decreased patency of the nasal passages.

A decongestant is administered to clear the nasal passage first and then gauze, soaked with anaesthesia that numbs the area and constricts blood vessels, is inserted.

A rigid endoscope is inserted into the nasal cavity to the lacrimal sac via the lacrimal duct to explore and confirm the nature of the obstruction. The nasal mucous membrane is incised and removed, to allow for the creation of a window on the lacrimal sac and upper nasolacrimal duct. A portion of the lacrimal and maxilla bone is removed and using a blade, a vertical incision is made in the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct. Silicone tubes can be inserted to assist long-term patency.

OPCS4.6 Code(s):

C25.3 Dacryocystorhinostomy and insertion of tube HFQ 

Y76.2 Functional endoscopic nasal surgery

or

C25.4 Dacryocystorhinostomy NEC

Y76.2 Functional endoscopic nasal surgery

_{The NHS Classifications Service of NHS Connecting for Health is the central definitive source for clinical coding guidance and determines the coding standards associated with the classifications (OPCS-4 and ICD-10) to be used across the NHS.   The NHS Classifications Service and NICE work collaboratively to ensure the most appropriate classification codes are provided.  www.connectingforhealth.co.uk/clinicalcoding}

Details

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Links:

	IPG113 Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy: guidance (web format)	11 February 2011
	IPG113 Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy: guidance	23 February 2005
	IPG113 Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy: understanding NICE guidance	23 February 2005
	IPG113 Dacryosystorhinostomi endosgopig: deall canllawiau NICE	08 October 2009
	IPG113 Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy: distribution list	23 February 2005
	Interventional procedure consultation document - endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (second consultation)	26 October 2004
	Overview of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (second consultation)	26 October 2004
	Interventional procedure consultation document - endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with or without laser (first consultation)	23 October 2003
	Overview of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy	23 October 2003
	Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy	23 June 2003