The Surgical Results of Balloon Catheter Dacryocystoplasty in Both Children and Adults

Lee, Tae Soo; Kim, Do Yup; Cho, Sang Hyoung

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical results of balloon catheter dacryocystoplasty (DCP) for congenital nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction in children and partial NLD obstruction in adults. METHODS: The authors performed balloon catheter DCP as a secondary treatment of eight children (nine lacrimal systems) over 12 months of age who had been failed by probing, and as a primary treatment of five adults (five lacrimal systems) whose lacrimal system was partially obstructed. In children, Lacricath was inflated at the level of the valve of Hasner and 5 mm proximal to that level, three times with eight atm (bars) for 90 seconds at each level. In adults, the procedure was the same for children, but if there is any doubt of common canalicular stenosis, inflation at that level was included. RESULTS: Seven of eight children (eight of nine lacrimal systems) and three of five adults (three of five lacrimal systems) showed objective and subjective improvement at the mean follow-up period of 5.3 months and 5.0 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Balloon catheter DCP was thought to be an alternative to silicone tube intubation in children with NLD obstruction who had been failed by probing and also a useful primary treatment in adults with partial NLD obstruction in the office setting.