Efficacy of Silicone Nasolacrimal Intubation with Mitomycin C Treatmentfor Treatment of Incomplete Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of adjunctive Mitomycin C (MMC) during silicone intubation (SI) for treatment of acquired incomplete nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). METHODS: Nineteen eyes with incomplete NLDO underwent SI only (group I). 20 different eyes were administered adjunctive 0.4 mg/ml MMC for 4 minutes (group II). Diagnosis of incomplete NLDO was based upon subjective complaints of tearing, dye disappearance testing, clinical evidence of epiphora, and nasolacrimal duct irrigation. Follow-up examination was conducted at 1, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: Follow-up ranged from 3 to 15 months (mean, 6.1 months). Twelve (63.1%) eyes in group I and 14 (70.0%) eyes in group II had a successful outcome and remained symptom-free. Four (21.1%) eyes in group I and three (15.0%) eyes in group II showed improvement but still experienced periodic epiphora. The difference was not statistically significant (p=0.873). CONCLUSIONS: SI as a treatment for incomplete NLDO provides complete relief or substantial improvement in a significant percentage of patients but MMC application during SI did not benefit outcome.