Lacrimal duct obstruction treated with lacrimonasal stent

• Published in: Archivos de la Sociedad Española de Oftalmología Vol. 78; no. 6; pp. 315 - 318
• Main Authors: Soler Machín, J, Castillo Laguarta, J M, De Gregorio Ariza, M A, Medrano, J, Cristóbal Bescós, J A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.06.2003
• Subjects: Adolescent; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Dacryocystitis - etiology; Dacryocystorhinostomy; Equipment Failure; Female; Humans; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases - etiology; Lacrimal Duct Obstruction - complications; Male; Middle Aged; Mucocele - etiology; Postoperative Complications; Stents; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0365-6691

To analyze a series of patients with lacrimal duct obstruction treated with polyurethane stents. We studied 125 cases of lacrimal duct obstruction corresponding to 115 patients, of whom 30 were males (26.08%) and 85 females (73.91%). The obstruction involved the right side in 51 cases (40.8%) and the left side in 74 (59.2%). Mean age was 65 +/- 14.64 years. Symptoms included chronic epiphora in 65 patients (52%), acute lacrimal sac inflammation in 33 (26.4%), mucocele in 6 (4.8%) and recurrent conjunctivitis in 4 (3.2%). Seventeen patients came to us diagnosed with lacrimal duct obstruction. Time of follow up was one year. Stents were successfully implanted in 120 cases (96%). Surgical complications included pain in 5.83%, eyelid inflammation in 5%, nasal bleeding in 0.83% and false duct in 0.83%. Functional success was achieved in 82 patients (68.3%), and surgical failure occurred in 38 patients (31.7%). Mean time of stent failure was 178 days. In these cases, inner granulation tissue was found in 63.15% of the cases and mucoid material in 36.85%. The most common postoperative complication was mucocele formation, which ocurred in 7.5% of the patients. In our experience, polyurethane stent implantation is a good alternative for treating nasolacrimal obstruction, but not as effective as endonasal or external dacryocystorhinostomy.