AIM: To compare the effects of modified traditional dacryocystorhinostomy with intranasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy on chronic dacryocystitis. METHODS: Totally 112 cases with complete medical records were studied retrospectively including 53 cases with modified traditional dacryocystorhinostomy(group A) and 59 cases with intranasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy(group B). RESULTS: In group A, after 6-12 months follow-up, 51 of 53 (96.2%) cases had good results; while in group B, 55 of 59 (93.2%) cases had good results. There was no statistical significant difference between the two groups (P ＞0.05). CONCLUSION:The intranasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy is an effective mini-invasive operation with no facial surgical scar and its operative effect can approach that of modified traditional dacryocystorhinostomy if surgical features are grasped well.