Korean J Ophthalmol.  2007 Jun;21(2):70-73. 10.3341/kjo.2007.21.2.70.

Lacrimal Silicone Intubation for Anatomically Successful but Functionally Failed External Dacryocystorhinostomy

• Kim NJ
• Kim JH
• Hwang SW
• Choung HK
• Lee YJ
• Khwarg SI

• KMID: 1101906
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2007.21.2.70

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of lacrimal silicone intubation for the management of epiphora in patients who have previously undergone anatomically successful dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). METHODS: The authors recruited 13 patients (4 male, 9 female) who had persistent epiphora after an anatomically successful primary external DCR and conducted lacrimal silicone intubation through the dacryocystorhinostomy site. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 54.2 years (range 42-80) and mean follow-up was 13.8 months (range 6-30). Epiphora was resolved in all 13 patients following silicone intubation. Spontaneous tube extrusion occurred in three patients, but a new one was easily reintubated. CONCLUSIONS: Lacrimal silicone intubation is a simple safe and effective procedure for patients with epiphora even after anatomically successful DCR.

Keyword

Epiphora; Functionally failed DCR; Lacrimal silicone intubation

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
*Dacryocystorhinostomy
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Intubation/*instrumentation
*Lacrimal Apparatus
Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases/*therapy
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
*Silicone Elastomers
Time Factors
Treatment Failure

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Result of Fluorescein dye disappearance test before silicone intubation (A: immediately after dye instillation, B: five minutes after dye instillation) This patient complained of epiphora recurrence in the left eye after the planned removal of the silicone tube following anatomically patent DCR. Note that fluorescein dye remained in left eye on dye disappearance test (Bottom right, arrow).

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  Fig. 2 Result of Fluorescein dye disappearance test of the same patient 1 month after silicone intubation in the left eye (A: immediately after dye instillation, B: five minutes after dye instillation) Note the symmetric disappearance of fluorescein dye from both eyes (Bottom right, arrow).

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