A soft stent for dacryocystorhinostomy surgery.

In 516 consecutive dacryocystorhinostomies, a soft stent of 0.25 in. Penrose drain tubing was utilized. The Penrose drain remained in place for approximately 1 month to enhance ostium patency. Ostium patency and alleviation of epiphora were achieved in 99.4% of these cases. Patient comfort, simplicity of follow-up, success rate of ostium patency, and the low incidence of complications suggest that Penrose drain tubing is an excellent material to use when the surgeon feels that an ostium stent is indicated.