Retained silicone sleeve as a cause of dacryocystorhinostomy failure.

Silicone sleeves are 1 method of stabilizing bicanalicular silicone intubation near the ostia during dacryocystorhinostomy surgery to prevent tube prolapse. Retained silicone sleeve following dacryocystorhinostomy is a rare and previously unreported complication that can occur despite endoscopic visualization during tube removal, particularly in narrow nasal passages. It is an easily reversible cause of dacryocystorhinostomy failure if identified.