Treatment of the Lacrimal Fistula with Punctal Plug

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results and complications of the punctal plug insertion through lacrimal fistula. METHODS: Four patients diagnosed with congenital lacrimal fistula had a punctual plug inserted through the lacrimal fistula without anesthesia from January to May 2005. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period was 6.8 months. In two pediatric patients whose mean age was 5.0 years, the fistula was not associated with nasolacrimal duct. In two adult patients, it was associated nasolacrimal duct obstruction, whose mean age was 49.0 years. In all cases epiphora improved. There was a puncal plug prolapse in one case and no other complications. CONCLUSIONS: Punctal plug insertion is considered a simple and useful technique for lacrimal fistula without congenital nasolacrimal obstruction in children especially whose parents refuse general anesthesia. Punctal plug insertion can be useful to reduce scarring in adult patients that receive endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with nasolacrimal obstruction.