ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the change in pathogens in cultured Jones tubes used in lacrimal bypass surgery according to postoperative period and to provide basic data related to preventive antibiotics or functional lacrimal stent development. METHODS: Fifty patients who underwent Jones tubes removal were enrolled in this study. Removed Jones tubes were cultured to identify bacteria and were tested for antibiotic sensitivity. The results were further analyzed according to the period between lacrimal bypass surgery and tube removal. RESULTS: Among 50 cases, 24 (48%) showed cultured bacteria of Staphylococcus aureus, 5 (10%) were Pseudomonas, and another 5 (10%) were Gram-positive bacilli. Although Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently cultured organism, Proteus mirabilis was the most common cultured organism in patients who underwent tube removal more than 10 years after lacrimal bypass surgery. There was no significant correlation between cultured organism and the period between lacrimal bypass surgery and tube removal. Eighty four percent of cultured Staphylococcus aureus showed resistance to penicillin, and 53% of cultured Staphylococcus aureus showed resistance to methicillin. CONCLUSIONS: Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently cultured organism according to Jones tube-related lacrimal bypass surgery. A large proportion of cultured Staphylococcus aureus showed resistance to penicillin and methicillin. Proteus mirabilis should be considered the most common pathogen in patients more than 10 years after lacrimal bypass surgery.