A Multi-tool to Reduce Nasolacrimal Stent Complications With the Home-Removable Farson Crawford Tube.

PURPOSE: Tear duct obstruction can be treated with probing and stenting, providing a reduced reoperation rate. A new instrument combining punctual dilation with the graduated diameter probe and bony-rasp was developed to assist the procedure.

METHODS

Laterality, type of nasolacrimal disorder, type of procedure, patient age, and postoperative outcome were monitored for one surgeon for two decades.

RESULTS

From 617 cases of pediatric tear duct obstruction, 494 used the bilateral, monocanalicular Farson method, yielding a 1.7% reoperation rate and 0.6% wire-strip rate. The nasolacrimal duct dilator rasp multi-tool, used since 1996, had a similarly low rate of complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The Farson technique with the multi-tool provides an affordable, effective procedure for childhood nasolacrimal obstruction, allowing home removal of the stent.