[The effect of bicanalicular silicone tube implantation on the success rate of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy].

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated operative success rates of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with or without bicanalicular silicone tube implantation.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Twenty-six eyes of 24 patients with simple epiphora (23 eyes) or chronic dacryocystitis (3 eyes) were treated by endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with (18 eyes) or without (8 eyes) bicanalicular silicone tube implantation. In the implantation group, one patient underwent endoscopic sinus surgery and two patients underwent submucosal resection. The silicone tubes were removed after a mean of 4.48 months (range 7 days to 6 months). The mean follow-up period was 12.4 months.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period, no significant differences were found between the two treatment groups with respect to the occurrence of epiphora. It disappeared in 17 eyes (94.5%) and in six eyes (75%) with or without silicone tube implantation, respectively. Operative success rates were significantly different between patients with simple epiphora (95.7%) and chronic dacryocystitis (33.3%). The only complication was a punctual damage seen in one patient.

CONCLUSION

The lack of a significantly high influence on the success rate, increased operative cost, and the risk for complications due to silicone tube insertions may be considered disadvantages of bicanalicular silicone tube implantation.