The Effects of Placement of Bicanalicular Silicon Tube and Silicone Stent on Granuloma Formation in Endoscopic Intranasal Dacryocystorhinostomy

ABSTRACT

The placements of silicone tube and silicone stent are helpful in maintaining the patency of lacrimal passage in endoscopic intranasal dacryocystorhinostomy(DCR). Hwoever, they can cause obstruction of internal ostium due to complications, such as inflammation and granuloma formation. The authors evaluated the rates of granuloma formation in 33 cases who had undergone endoscopic DCR with placement of silicone tube and silicone stent and the optimal removal timing to increase patency rates. Granuloma formation was noted in 19 of 33 cases; 12 of the 19 cases developed granuloma formation between 7 and 12 week after operation. Therefore, we concluded that the rates of granuloma formation were higher in placement of both silicone tube and silicone stent than those of silicone tube alone, and the optimal time for their removal seemed to be between 4 and 6 weeks postoperatively.