Clinical Efficacy of Lacrimal Endoscopy Assisted Silicone Tube Intubation in Patients with Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

Abstract

Purpose:We evaluated the clinical efficacy of lacrimal endoscopy-assisted silicone tube intubation in patients with a nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 86 eyes of 67 patients who underwent lacrimal endoscopy (RUIDO fiberscope; Fibertechco, Tokyo, Japan)-assisted silicone tube intubation from December 2014 to March 2017. We compared clinical characteristics, irrigation test results, and dacryocystographic and lacrimal endoscopic findings, and analyzed factors related to surgical success. Results: In total, 86 eyes of 67 patients underwent lacrimal endoscopy-assisted silicone tube intubation. The success rate was 87.2%. There was a significantly lower preoperative tear meniscus height (420.5 ± 198.1 μm vs. 639.0 ± 224.3 μm, p < 0.001). In the surgically successful group, narrowing was frequently observed (29.0% vs. 0%, p = 0.030). Dacryolith findings were associated with surgical failure (10% vs. 29%, p = 0.043). Conclusions: Lacrimal endoscopy-assisted silicone tube intubation is considered an effective and successful operative procedure and enables the observation of real-time findings inside the lacrimal drainage passage for the treatment of pathological lesions. Narrowing observed during lacrimal endoscopy indicated successful treatment as opposed to dacryolith findings, which were associated with a failed outcome. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 2018;59(6):582-588

Long-term Efficacy of Dacryoendoscopy-guided Recanalization and Silicone Tube Intubation

“…However, the reported success rates vary and studies regarding the long-term success rate of this procedure are limited. A recent study by Lee et al [ 11 ] reported a success rate of 87.2% in 86 eyes (78 with partial NLDO and eight with complete NLDO). However, although the success rate was high, the follow-up period was only 17.2 months.…”