To evaluate the long-term results of the application of a mixed solution of hyaluronate and sodium carboxymethlycellulose (HACMC, Guardix-sol) intraoperatively in endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (Endo-DCR).

In this retrospective randomized controlled study, Endo-DCR and silicone tube intubation were performed on 83 eyes of 83 patients who were diagnosed with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. In group A (40 patients, 40 eyes), HACMC was applied to the osteotomy site in the nasal cavity after standard Endo DCR procedure. In group B (43 patients, 43 eyes), a standard Endo-DCR procedure was performed without HACMC. The results for the two groups were evaluated by asking patients about the tearing condition and examining the patency of irrigation, complications, and related treatment.

There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, silicone tube insertion duration, or mean follow-up time between the two groups. The primary success rates of the group A and the group B were 87.5% (35/40) and 81.4% (35/43), respectively. The final success rates after the revisonal surgery were 92.5% (37/40) and 86.0% (37/43), respectively, and there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups ( P =0.348, Fisher's exact test).

Applying HACMC to the nasal cavity will be useful in treating patients with poor prognosis, although the higher average primary success rate of patients receiving HACMC, as compared to those who did not, was not statistically significant.