An introducer and
system and method for using the introducer in endoscopic combined
laser assisted DCR for treatment of nasolachrymal drainage obstruction (NLDO) is disclosed. An introducer comprising a hollow outer tube and an atraumatic inner
mandril is inserted into the lachrymal sac section. The atraumatic inner
mandril is removed and (one or more) optical fibers or
fiber bundles are inserted for illumination to determine proper position and for ablating a drainage channel. The
fiber or bundle is then removed and a DCR
intubation set can then be introduced to maintain the drainage channel. One
advantage of this device and method is that all aspects of the procedure can be performed through the introducer, thus only requiring a single
insertion point, reducing trauma to the lachrymal duct, and reducing the complexity and risk of complication or infection. Another
advantage of this device and method is that it can be used with many pre-existing
intubation sets used for current DCR procedures, thus the present device and method can easily and cost effectively be introduced as a first line procedure.