Clinical analysis of endoscopic-assisted RS silicone intubation for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To investigate the effect and safety of endoscopic-assisted RS silicone intubation for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction after failed probing in children, in order to guide the clinical application.<p>METHODS: Retrospective case series. Totally 158 children(158 eyes)with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction who were failed probing in our hospital from September 2016 to September 2019 were selected as the research subjects. All patients underwent endoscopic-assisted RS silicone intubation. Regular follow-up was performed 1, 3, and 6mo after surgery. Observe the children's gender, age, treatment history, presence or absence of discharge before surgery; treatment effect; complications; types of nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Spearman's correlation coefficient calculation and analysis of the relationship between ages, times of probing and operation efficiency, Fisher's exact probability test for the operation efficiency of different types of nasolacrimal duct obstruction, and chi square test for the operation efficiency of presence or absence of discharge.<p>RESULTS: The total effective rate was 89.9%(142/158). The effective rate of surgery tends to decrease with age(Spearman's correlation coefficient <i>rs</i>= -1.000, <i>P</i><0.01). The effective rate of surgery showed a downward trend with the increase of the times of probing(Spearman's correlation coefficient <i>rs</i>= -1.000, <i>P</i><0.01). The efficiency of membranous nasolacrimal duct obstruction surgery is higher than that of complex nasolacrimal duct obstruction, and the difference is statistically significant(<i>P</i><0.05). It cannot be considered that there is a statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of the operation between the two symptoms with or without discharge(<i>P</i>>0.05). The main complications were: false passage formation(16 eyes, 10.1%), loss of tube(14 eyes, 8.9%), red eyes and irritated tears(18 eyes, 11.4%), punctums tissue adhesion(3 eyes, 1.9%), punctum granuloma formation(1 eye, 0.6%).<p>CONCLUSION: Endoscopic-assisted RS silicone intubation has a higher effective rate and better safety in the treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction after failed probing in children. The effective rate of surgery decreases with age, and decreases with the increase of the times of probing. Membranous nasolacrimal duct obstruction is more effective than complicated nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

The treatment of the congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction(CNLDO)has an incidence rate of 5.7% and there are many clinical treatments for the disease. But these treatments have been taken very randomly. Therefore, it is still a controversial topic on how to choose the best treatment. This paper will discuss the treatments of CNLDO so as to know the characteristics of each treatment for better clinical services.

Result of Probing for Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Children Less than 1 Year Versus Children Greater than 1 Year

Congenital obstruction of nasolacrimal duct is a very common cause of epiphora in new born children.Controversy exists regarding the natural course and management of children with congenital nasolacrimalduct obstruction. The present study was undertaken on 80 children of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstructionwith no previous intervention. They were divided into two groups of 40 each. Group 1 had children aged lessthan 1 year and Group 2 comprised of children older than 1 year. Probing was done under general anesthesia.The mean age of the patients in Group 1was 8.35±2.65 months and that of the children in Group 2 was27.5±11.98 months. The overall success rate of probing was 78.75%. Success rates in Group 1 and Group2 were 85% and 72.5%, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically insignificant.However, there was a significant difference in the success rate of probing depending on the type of obstruction(p<0.05). Membranous obstruction of NLD was associated with increased success rates of probing ascompared to firm obstruction of NLD (p=0.001230, Yates corrected Chi square =0.0009578). Probing is asafe option of treating congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Probing is beneficial in older children althoughthe success rate of probing tends to decline with increasing age. Firm anatomical obstruction in nasolacrimalduct is associated with a decline in the success rate of probing.

Clinical Outcome and Factors Predictive of Outcome of Nasolacrimal Duct Probing for Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Younger and Older Children Performed at a Regional Institute of Ophthalmology in Western India

2-6 % of full term newborn children manifest symptoms of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The most frequent presentation is tearing associated with mattering of the eyelashes and recurrent infection. We designed a study to compare the success rate of nasolacrimal duct probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in younger and older children seen at our western regional institute of ophthalmology. Probing under general anaesthesia was done in a cohort of children presenting with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction . The demography ,clinical presentation, management and outcome of the cases were documented. Factors associated with success of the procedure were documented. Aim: The aim of the study was to document the clinical outcome and factors predictive of success of nasolacrimal duct probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in younger and older children seen at our Western Regional Institute of Ophthalmology in India. Methods: The study was carried out at our Western Regional Institute of Ophthalmology. The study period was July 2018 to May 2019 . The study was a prospective interventional outcome study in an institutional cohort. Probing was reserved for patients with recurrent infection or acute dacryocystitis in children between 6 months to 9 months of age . Initial probing was the treatment of choice for children between one year and three years as well as older children above three years upto twelve years. Probing was performed under general anaesthesia. Patients were followed at 1 week, 3 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after the procedure. Outcome was defined as resolution of symptoms and signs of nasolacrimal duct obstruction as observed by the ophthalmologist as well as reported by the parents within 3 weeks of the procedure and continued remission for 6 months post procedure. Probing was done twice before the procedure was declared a failure. Statistical Analysis: Student t test and chi square test was used for statistical analysis . p<0.05 was taken as significant. The Fischer exact test was used to calculate the chi square value. Results: 25 eyes of 18 children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction were subjected to probing during the time of the study. The age range was six months to eleven years. The overall success rate was 16/25(64%). The success rate for children less than or equal to three years was 8/9 (89%).The success rate in the age group three years to less than or equal to seven years was 7/12 (58.3%) . The success rate dropped to 25% (1/4) for children more than seven years of age. The success rate of nasolacrimal duct probing was observed to reduce with increasing age of the child. Persistent dacryocystitis, firm obstruction on nasolacrimal duct probing and repeat probing were statistically significantly associated with the outcome of probing. The children with any of the above factors had a lower success rate of nasolacrimal duct probing. Conclusion: The results of our study are comparable to other studies reporting outcome and predictive factors of nasolacrimal duct probing in younger and older children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Children less than or equal to three years of age with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction could be successfully managed with nasolacrimal duct probing with great outcomes. Older children too had a reasonable outcome and age did not appear to be a significant factor affecting outcome. A firm obstruction on probing, persistent dacryocystitis and repeat procedure are significantly associated with the outcome of nasolacrimal duct probing. Conclusion: Children less than or equal to three years of age with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction can be successfully managed with nasolacrimal duct probing with great outcomes. Older children too had a reasonable outcome and age did not appear to be a significant factor affecting outcome. Thus in the light of the fact that probing is a safe and effective procedure , it appears logical to give a trial of initial nasolacrimal duct probing even to children older than three years. A firm obstruction on probing, persistent dacryocystitis and repeat procedure are significantly associated with the outcome of nasolacrimal duct probing.

Choice of timing and methods of treatment for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction(CNLDO)is one of the most common ocular disorders in infants, and the main feature is a membranous obstruction of the distal end of the nasolacrimal duct. Methods are considered to treat with CNLDO, including lacrimal sac massage, probing, silicone intubation, balloon dacryocystoplasty, and dacryohynostomy. Recently, the combination use of lacrimal endoscopes may increase the success rate of surgery. Because many CNLDOs can resolve spontaneously, there are still some controversies in the timing of surgery and the choice of treatment options. The aim of the review is to provide a reference for the treatment of CNLDO.

Nasolacrimal duct obstruction: Does it really increase the risk of amblyopia in children.

Purpose: To report the prevalence of amblyopia risk factors in children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Methods: A retrospective review of records of children with the diagnosis of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO), who underwent probing from January 2009 to October 2011, was done. All of them underwent a complete ophthalmic evaluation including cycloplegic refraction and strabismus evaluation before probing. Results: A total of 142 children were included in this study. The mean age at presentation was 22.38 months (sample standard deviation (SSD) ‑ 15.88). Amblyopia risk factors were defined according to two sets of guidelines: The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) referral criteria guidelines and the new AAPOS Vision Screening Committee guidelines. Twenty‑eight (20%) children were found to have some form of amblyopia risk factor based on the referral criteria prescribed by AAPOS . However, on applying modified guidelines described by Donahue et al., to analyze the same cohort, 21 children were found to have amblyogenic risk factors. Of these 28 children, 13 had significant astigmatism (>1.50 D), 8 children had hypermetropia (>3.50 D), and six children had anisometropia (>1.50 D). One child had significant cataract (media opacity >1 mm). None of the children in this series had either myopia or strabismus. Conclusion: Prevalence of amblyopia risk factor was found to be 20% in our study based on the older guidelines; however, it reduces to 14.78% by applying the modified guidelines. Despite this reduction, importance of a comprehensive ophthalmic examination including cycloplegic refraction in all children presenting with NLDO cannot be overstated. A close follow‑up of these children is also essential to prevent the development of amblyopia.

Clinical Outcomes of Probing in Children with Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

PURPOSE: To determine the success rate of probing for the treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction and to identify the clinical factors affecting the success rates. METHODS: The records of probing procedures from January 2005 to January 2015 were reviewed. The present study included 200 eyes of 174 patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Successful probing was defined as complete resolution of epiphora 3 months after treatment. Success rates were compared between the 2 groups in terms of sex, age, laterality, and previous probing. RESULTS: A total of 200 eyes of 174 children (109 eyes of 94 males and 91 eyes of 80 females; mean age, 7.51 ± 3.39 months) had undergone the probing procedure. The overall success rates of primary probing were 81.5%, with an 80.7% success rate in males (88 eyes of 109 eyes) and 82.5% in females (75 eyes of 91 eyes). Success rates were 83.5% for the 91 eyes in children aged 0 to 6 months, 80.0% for the 90 eyes in children 6 to 12 months, and 78.9% for the 19 eyes in children over 12 months. No statistical significances were found among age groups. The probability of treatment success was lower in bilateral disease (p < 0.05; 86.4-67.3%). Twenty-four of 37 eyes with unsuccessful primary probing underwent secondary probing, resulting in a 70.8% success rate. Silicone tube insertion was performed in 4 eyes repeatedly, however, the procedures were unsuccessful. The overall success rate was 90%. CONCLUSIONS: The success rates among various age groups were not statistically significant. The probability of treatment success was lower in bilateral cases. Probing is an effective first-line treatment in children diagnosed with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Close observation and appropriate treatment should be considered in patients with bilateral disease.

Clinical Outcomes of Probing in Children with Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

PURPOSE: To determine the success rate of probing for the treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction and to identify the clinical factors affecting the success rates. METHODS: The records of probing procedures from January 2005 to January 2015 were reviewed. The present study included 200 eyes of 174 patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Successful probing was defined as complete resolution of epiphora 3 months after treatment. Success rates were compared between the 2 groups in terms of sex, age, laterality, and previous probing. RESULTS: A total of 200 eyes of 174 children (109 eyes of 94 males and 91 eyes of 80 females; mean age, 7.51 ± 3.39 months) had undergone the probing procedure. The overall success rates of primary probing were 81.5%, with an 80.7% success rate in males (88 eyes of 109 eyes) and 82.5% in females (75 eyes of 91 eyes). Success rates were 83.5% for the 91 eyes in children aged 0 to 6 months, 80.0% for the 90 eyes in children 6 to 12 months, and 78.9% for the 19 eyes in children over 12 months. No statistical significances were found among age groups. The probability of treatment success was lower in bilateral disease (p < 0.05; 86.4-67.3%). Twenty-four of 37 eyes with unsuccessful primary probing underwent secondary probing, resulting in a 70.8% success rate. Silicone tube insertion was performed in 4 eyes repeatedly, however, the procedures were unsuccessful. The overall success rate was 90%. CONCLUSIONS: The success rates among various age groups were not statistically significant. The probability of treatment success was lower in bilateral cases. Probing is an effective first-line treatment in children diagnosed with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Close observation and appropriate treatment should be considered in patients with bilateral disease.

Factors affecting treatment outcome in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction: A retrospective analysis from South India.

Purpose: To investigate outcomes for different treatment modalities in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) in an Indian population. Design: Retrospective, interventional, case series. Materials and Methods: In an institutional setting, case records of patients with CNLDO from January 2008 to 2012, were reviewed, and data on patient demographics, clinical presentation, and treatment details (sac massage, probing, and/or dacryocystorhinostomy) were recorded. Success of treatment was defined as complete resolution of symptoms and negative regurgitation on pressure over lacrimal sac (ROPLAS) area. Results: Two hundred and ninety‑eight eyes of 240 patients with a mean age of 22.2 ± 26.14 months (median = 12 months, interquartile range = 17) were analyzed. Sac massage (n = 226) was successful in 67 eyes (30%). Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that children with mucoid ROPLAS were almost 6 times more likely (odds ratio [OR] = 5.55 vs. clear ROPLAS, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.35–13.09, P < 0.001) to experience failure of sac massage. Overall probing (n = 193) was successful for 143 (74%) eyes. Multivariable logistic regression showed that older children were 25% more likely to experience probing failure (OR = 1.25 for every 6 months increment in age, 95%, CI = 1.09–1.42, P = 0.001). Conclusion: Sac massage is successful in only a third of our patients and those with mucoid ROPLAS are more likely to experience failure. Probing is successful in three‑quarter of our subjects, and its success declines with a progressive increase in age. Lower socioeconomic status, poor general health, and recurrent respiratory infections are unique to our population and may influence outcomes.

Treatment of infants with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AlM: To explore the different ages of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in infants, take different treatment methods at different times. METHODS:The 87 cases of 102 children were divided into three different age groups: the first group of 25d-3mo of age 21 cases 26 eyes; The second group >3mo-7mo 31 cases 36 eyes;The third group >7-24mo of age 35 cases 40 eyes. For the first group of infants, the implementation of the lacrimal sac nasolacrimal duct massage + eye drops; for the second group of infants, carry lacrimal pressure washing treatment; for the third group of infants, the implementation of the nasolacrimal duct probing treatment. RESULTS: The first group of children through the nasolacrimal duct sac massage + drops tobramycin eye drops treatment unobstructed 12, the cure rate was 46. 2%;The second group of children through pressurized irrigation treatment lacrimal patency by 33, the cure rate was 91. 7%; The third group of children through the nasolacrimal duct probing unobstructed 36 treatment, the cure rate was 90. 0%. The second and third group were better than the first group (χ2=15. 71, P0. 05). CONCLUSlON:lnfants with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction should distinguish between ages, taking different treatments, in order to obtain a better therapeutic effect, and lacrimal pressure washing is the preferred way of treating infants with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Results of Cultured Silicone Tubes Inserted in Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

PURPOSE: We evaluated cultured specimens from silicone tubes removed from patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction and determined the antibiotic sensitivities of the specimens. METHODS: This study included 26 eyes of 22 patients who had received endonasal silicone tube intubation for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The removed silicone tubes were divided into canaliculus, lacrimal sac, nasolacrimal duct and nasal cavity parts according to insertion state. Then, bacteria and fungus cultures were performed and their antibiotic sensitivity was tested. RESULTS: Bacteria culture rate was 80.8% in the canaliculus and the lacrimal sac, and 88.5% in the lacrimal duct, and the nasal cavity, which was not significantly different according to insertion site. Fungus culture rate was significantly higher in the nasal cavity than in the nasolacrimal duct and in the nasolacrimal duct than in the lacrimal sac and the canaliculus (p-value < 0.05). The species of cultured Gram-positive bacteria were in the following order: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia and coagulase negative Staphylococcus. Common species of cultured Gram-negative bacteria were Pseudomonas and Serratia marcescens. All six species of cultured fungi were Candida. Among 12 Staphylococcus aureus cultured, eight species showed resistance to methicillin (MRSA). In all patients, the symptoms and the signs of nasolacrimal duct obstruction improved after the tube removal. CONCLUSIONS: Bacterial and fungal infection of the silicone tube in patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction does not appear to affect directly the outcome of silicone tube intubation. Further studies of bacterium and fungi in the nasolacrimal duct before silicone tube intubation are needed for determining the infection causing nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Monocanalicular and Bicanalicular Intubation with Sequential Probing for Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Patients Over the Age of 24 Months

PURPOSE: The clinical effectiveness of monocanalicular or bicanalicular intubation with sequential probing was evaluated in patients over the age of 24 months with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. METHODS: Patients over 24 months of age with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction who underwent monocanalicular intubation with sequential probing (19 patients, 20 eyes) or bicanalicular intubation with sequential probing (22 patients, 22 eyes) were studied. Success rates and complications were evaluated. Silicone tube was removed 6 months after surgery. Success was defined as no epiphora and no retention on fluorescein dye disappearance test. RESULTS: The success rate was 95.0% (19 eyes / 20 eyes) in the monocanalicular intubation group and complications included 7 cases of early tube dislodgement, which achieved successful outcome. The success rate was 82.6% (19 eyes / 22 eyes) in the bicanalicular intubation group and complications included 4 cases of punctal slitting, and 3 cases of tube extrusion. The success and complication rates were not significantly different between the 2 groups (p = 0.608, p = 1.000, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction, the monocanalicular tube intubation group had similar success and complication rates to the bicanalicular tube intubation group. Silicone tube maintenance for 2 months in the monocanalicular group and for 3 months in the bicanalicular group was sufficient.

The Clinical Outcome of Endoscopic Silicone Tube Intubation for Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

PURPOSE: To evaluate the surgical results and clinical effectiveness of silicone tube intubation through Hasner's valve under intranasal endoscopic guidance in children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNDO). METHODS: The present study enrolled a total of 58 eyes of 46 children over 12 months of age diagnosed with CNDO in the Department of Ophthalmology, Inje University College of Medicine from 2003 to 2010. Patients who had previously undergone ineffective probing or had a combination of an anatomical abnormality such as secondary nasolacrimal duct obstruction were also included. The silicone tube was intubated through the Hasner's valve and observed with intranasal endoscopy; tube retention time was planned for at least 12 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 20 eyes were previously probed preoperatively (mean 1.7 times). After the average follow-up period of 13.5 months, the overall success of silicone intubation was 57 of 58 eyes (98%). In one failed eye, nasolacrimal obstruction was already combined preoperatively, and unintentional tube removal by the patient occurred within one week. Silicone tube reintubation was performed after four months, and CNDO symptoms improved. CONCLUSIONS: Intranasal endoscopic observation to ensure the passage of a silicone tube through Hasner's valve decreases anatomical injury. When considering patient age and former treatment, silicone tube intubation with intranasal endoscopic observation could produce desirable results with a higher success rate.

A Case of Acquired Dacryocystocele Treated by Lacrimal Silicone Intubation

PURPOSE: To report a case of an acquired dacryocystocele successfully treated with bicanalicular silicone intubation and to review relating literature. CASE SUMMARY: A 17-year-old girl visited our clinic with tearing of both eyes since birth and a mass on the right medial canthal area for 2 years. A firm, non-tender mass with a well-demarcated border was palpated in the subcutaneous level just inferior to the right medial canthal ligament. Lacrimal irrigation via the lower punctums showed reflux through the opposite punctums without nasal passage in both of her eyes. Computed tomographic scan showed a widening of the right lacrimal sac fossa and bony nasolacrimal canal and a 16 x 18 mm sized cyst-like mass in the right lacrimal sac. The patient was diagnosed with right acquired dacryocystocele associated with bilateral congenital nasolacrimal duct obstructions. After opening of the obstructed common canaliculus using a fine lacrimal probe, silicone intubation was performed. The tearing symptom improved and the mass disappeared during the subsequent follow-up period of 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: When only accompanied by distal nasolacrimal duct obstruction, acquired dacryocystocele can be inferred to be associated with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Subsequently, bicanalicular silicone intubation can be considered as a treatment of choice.

Factors Affecting the Outcome of Silicone Intubation for Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

PURPOSE: To determine the factors affecting the outcome of silicone intubation for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. METHODS: A total of 233 eyes of 200 children that received silicone intubation were enrolled in a retrospective study. RESULTS: The overall success of silicone intubation was 193 of 233 eyes (82.8%). There was no significant difference in success rate between age groups. Tube retention time did not affect the success rates. Immediate tube dislocation as early as within 2 weeks did not lower the success rates (81.5%). Success rates were significantly lowered by persistent epiphora at the point of tube removal (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of silicone intubation is determined by symptomatic improvement, which is not affected by tube retention time. Unplanned early tube dislocation may not affect the outcome of silicone intubation unless symptoms are persistent, and sufficient tube retention time does not ensure the success if symptoms are persistent.

Clinical Outcomes of Initial and Repeated Nasolacrimal Duct Office-Based Probing for Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

PURPOSE: To characterize the outcomes of initial and repeated office-based probing as a primary treatment for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) in children. METHODS: The medical records of patients who underwent nasolacrimal duct office-based probing for CNLDO between March 2004 and January 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. Nasolacrimal duct probing was performed on 244 eyes from 229 consecutive patients with CNLDO. Patients who were refractory to the first probing underwent a second probing 4 to 8 weeks later. RESULTS: Based on exclusion criteria, 244 eyes from 229 patients (117 males and 112 females), aged 6 to 71 months (mean, 12.4 +/- 8.36) were included. The success rate of the initial probing was 80% (196 of 244) for all patients, 82% (111 of 136) in the 6 to 12 month age group, 79% (64 of 81) in the 13 to 18 months age group, and 78% (21 of 27) among individuals older than 19 months (p = 0.868, Pearson chi-square test). The success rate of the second probing was 61% (25 of 41) for all patients, 74% (17 of 23) in the 6 to 12 months age group, 58% (7 of 12) in the 13 to 18 months age group, and 17% (1 of 6) among individuals older than 19 months (p = 0.043, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSIONS: While the success rate of initial nasolacrimal duct probing is not affected by age, the rate of success rate with a second probing was significantly lower in patients older than 19 months. Based on the results, authors recommend further surgical interventions, such as silicone tube intubation or balloon dacryocystoplasty, instead of repeated office probing for patients older than 19 months, if an initial office probing has failed.

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment of Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

PURPOSE: A comparison analysis of the clinical characteristics and treatment results of congenital NLD obstruction. METHODS: The present study involved 216 pediatric patients (258 eyes) diagnosed with and treated for congenital NLD obstruction. Treatment was applied step by step starting with conservative massaging, lacrimal probing, and silicone tube intubation. RESULTS: The treatment results of congenital NLD obstruction in pediatric patients under 12 months of age showed an 87.3% success rate after an average of 4.3 months of treatment in the group using lacrimal sac massage and antibiotic eye drops (conservative treatment). The group treated by correct massaging techniques showed a 93.6% success rate after an average of 3.8 months of treatment. The success rate of lacrimal probing, applied to patients not showing improvement after massage therapy was 77.8%. Pediatric patients not showing improvement after lacrimal probing underwent silicone tube intubation. All patients showed improvement except in 1 case that had an early silicone tube dislocation. DISCUSSION: A step-by-step approach is effective in treating congenital NLD obstruction patients, and correct lacrimal massage techniques improve the success rate during conservative therapy. The period of conservative treatment and number of probing times did not have a statistically significant correlation with the success rate of lacrimal silicone tube intubation. Silicone tube intubation showed a high success rate in patients sustaining the silicone tube for a minimum of 2.1 months.

The Characteristics of Infants with Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction Iimproved with Lacrimal Sac Digital Massage

PURPOSE: The treatments for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction range from minimally invasive to more invasive methods. Initially, clinicians select lacrimal sac massage with topical antibiotics application or early lacrimal sac probing. We studied if the characteristics of infants improved after lacrimal sac massage with topical antibiotic application. METHODS: Two hundred thirty-four eyes of 204 patients diagnosed with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction from March 2001 to January 2007 were included. Excluded were infants who had obvious epiblepharon or eyelid abnormalities, tumors of the lacrimal system, or a history of trauma. Neonates less than 1 month were also excluded to rule out neonatal conjunctivitis. At the first visit, we recorded birth profile information such as gestational age, birth weight and height, onset time of symptoms, and post-conceptional age. We compared the results between the successful treatment group and failure group after lacrimal sac massage and topical antibiotic application. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-three eyes showed improvement after conservative treatment (52.6%), and the infants included in the success group visited earlier and had lower PCA (P<0.05). No other factors evaluated in this study contributed toward the improvement in symptoms observed. CONCLUSIONS: When considering treatment for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction, an evaluation of factors related to birth should be performed. According to the results, infants with the characteristics of favorable outcome should be treated conservatively, while those patients who do not have the characteristics for favorable outcome should be treated by early probing to achieve an effective and satisfactory outcome.

Length Indicator of Lacrimal Pathway in Probing with Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

PURPOSE: To differentiate complex obstruction from the nasal cavity floor when performing probing in congenital nasolacrimal obstruction. METHODS: Twenty-five eyes of 23 patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction were treated by probing from January to December 2003. We measured the length between the medial canthus and nasal ala and between the punctum and nasal floor after positioning the probe in the nasal cavity and compared the two lengths. RESULTS: There were 15 males and 10 females. Their mean age was 11.48+/-4.32 months. The mean length between the lower punctum and nasal floor was 3.28+/-0.34 cm, and the mean length between the medial canthus and nasal ala was 2.82+/-0.26 cm. The length between the punctum and nasal floor was longer than that between the medial canthus and nasal ala (p<0.01). There was a positive relationship between two lengths (r=0.805, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Measuring the length between the medial canthus and nasal ala before probing in patients with congenital nasolacrimal obstruction is helpful to distinguish the nasal floor from complex nasolacrimal obstruction when a hard stop is encountered.

The Effect of Modified Probing (Lee's Swing Method) on Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

PURPOSE: To compare modified probing (swing method) to conventional probing for treating congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO). METHODS: From March 1997 to February 2004, we compared the result between two groups of CNLDO patients: one which underwent conventional probing (Group A: 126 eyes of 126 patients) and the other which underwent modified probing (Group B: 98 eyes of 98 patients) with the swing method. RESULTS: In the comparison between the two groups, there were no statistical differences in genders and ages. When we selected patients according to the age group, we found no differences in the primary success rate between Groups A and B (p=0.088 for the patients of aged six to twelve months old, p=0.051 for the patients aged 13 to 18 months old). Compared by the number of probings, patients with no history of probing in each group showed no significant difference in the success rate (p=0.301). On the other hand, the patients in Group B who experienced probing more than once showed a significantly higher success rate than those in Group A (p=0.033). CONCLUSIONS: We recommend the swing method as a primary treatment for CNLDO in preference to conventional probing because the swing method shows a higher success rate for patients older than 13 months and also for those with a history of previous probing.