[Analysis of the efficacy of early probing in the treatment of symptomatic congenital lacrimal duct obstruction in infants. Apropos of 92 cases].

INTRODUCTION

Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) is a common clinical problem (5 to 6% of newborns). Dacryostenosis is a partial or complete block in the nasolacrimal duct.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The records of 68 patients (92 cases) of NLDO with/without mucocele were reviewed. The probing was performed early and according to the same technique.

RESULTS

The age at the time of probing ranged from 0 to 7 months (mean 4.6 months). The cure rate was 91.3% and the failure rate was 8.70%.

DISCUSSION: Our results are consistent with other reports in the literature. The cure rate was higher with a earlier probing and was good after a second tentative of probing. A multiple obstruction of nasolacrimal system was cause of a failure. This was not the case with mucocele. The optimal timing of the probing is discussed in this report and we preferred to perform the probing to 4 at 6 months.

CONCLUSION

We showed a high cure rate with early probing in our series. These results should be confirmed by a prospective randomised study (in process in our institution).