Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the results of long-term results of silicone tube intubation in patients with common canalicular stenosis.
Methods: :
A retrospective analysis was conducted of the outcomes of silicone intubation performed between 2007 and 2010. During that period, we performed silicone tube intubation on 107 patients(169 eyes) that completed at least 12 months of follow - up were included in the analysis. Base on canalicular irrigation test and probing, divided patients to 3 groups.(Group A: canalicular stenosis, Group B: common canalicular stenosis, Group C: NLD stenosis). Success was defined as the disappearance of epiphora after silicone tube intubation and maintenance of improvement by the time of the final patient follow-up. Recurrence was also defined as appearance of epiphora after silicone tube extubation.
Results: :
The mean follow-up period was 30.5 months. The success rate of each group was Group A(66.0% , 35 eyes), Group B(75.4%, 46eyes), Group C(56.3%, 31eyes). Recurrence rate of each group was Group A(9.4%, 5eyes), Group B(9.8%, 6eyes), Group C(10.9%, 6eyes). The preoperative tear meniscus heights in Group A was 0.61±0.14mm, Group B was 0.59±0.12mm, and Group C was 0.62±0.21mm. Postoperative tear meniscus heights of Group A was 0.35±0.16mm, Group B was 0.34±0.22mm, and Group C was 0.37±0.19mm. Improvement of tear meniscus heights in all group was showed.
Conclusions: :
From these findings, we suggest that silicone tube intubation in patients with common canalicular stenosis is a simple, and useful treatment for patients.
Keywords: plasticity • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications