Clinical Results of silicone Intubation for Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Adult

ABSTRACT

On this study, silicone intubation was performed for punctal stenois in 10 patients(group 1), incomplete nasolacrimal duct obstruction in 47 patients (group 2), and complete nasolacrimal duct obstruction in 18 patients(group 3) in adults. Silicone tube was removed between 3-6 months(mean 5.7 months) after intubation. Mean follow-up period of 9.5 months, 9 patients(90%)in group 1,39 patients(83%)in group 2,and 8 patients(44%) in group 3 showed no epiphora, and 1 patient(10%)in group 1, 8 patients (17%) in group 2, and 4 patients(22%) in group 3 showed intermittent epiphora. 6 patients(33%) in group 3 showed persistent epiphora. In summary, silicone intubation can be an alternative to dacryocystorhinostomy in selected adult patients who have punctal stenosis and incomplete obstruction of nasolacrimal duct system. It is safe, and less traumatic with high success rate in these patients.