Tissue necrosis following diode laser-assisted transcanalicular dacryocystorhinostomy.

Advantages of transcanalicular laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy (TCDCR) over conventional, external, and endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) have been purported to include decreased operating time, reduced morbidity, enhanced cosmesis, avoidance of general anesthesia, and a shorter recovery time. However, 1 case of skin necrosis has recently been reported to have occurred following diode laser-assisted TCDCR, and the authors now report 3 additional cases that were evaluated by the Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery services at the University of North Carolina, North Carolina, and the University of California, San Francisco. Three patients developed full-thickness tissue necrosis over the medial canthus following TCDCR, and 2 of these patients experienced persistent tissue breakdown at the site following reconstructive repair.