Long-term outcomes of laser dacryoplasty combined with intubation using a new silicon tube in patients with lacrimal duct obstruction

AIM:To determine the 15-year outcomes of laser dacryoplasty(LDP)in patients with lacrimal duct obstruction;and to evaluate LDP combined with intubation using a new silicone tube to treat complicated cases.METHODS:Patients with lacrimal duct obstruction and treated with LDP between April 2000 and April 2005 were investigated retrospectively.Totally 116 eyes with completed 15-year follow-up records were included in this study.For complicated cases(52 eyes of 52 patients),both LDP and intubation using a self-made silicon tube were performed.For patients with uncomplicated obstruction(64 eyes of 61 patients),only LDP was performed.Outcomes were assessed based on results of lacrimal irrigation and degree of symptoms during follow-up.RESULTS:At the follow-up time of 15y,81 eyes achieved full success(69.8%);21 eyes got improved(18.1%);and 14 eyes were considered failure(12.1%).The success rate was 71.2%(37/52 eyes)for complicated cases;and 68.8%(44/64 eyes)for uncomplicated cases.No statistically significant difference between two groups was observed(P=0.961).No postoperative complication was observed.CONCLUSION:LDP is a well-tolerated,simple,and effective procedure with satisfactory long-term outcomes in selected patients,which make it a good alternative to conventional dacryocystorhinostomy.In addition,intubation with the self-made mono-canalicular silicone tube facilitates the management of complicated cases with few complications.

New mucosal flap modification for endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy in Asians

AIM: To describe a simple modification of fashioning the mucosal flap for endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EES-DCR) in Asians and investigate its efficacy. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with unilateral primary chronic dacryocystitis (PCD) were randomized into two groups: the new shaped nasal mucosal flap group (group A) and the removed nasal mucosal flap group (group B). All patients underwent standard EES-DCR. Patients in group A were performed a new shaped nasal mucosal flap covering the bared bone around the opened sac and those in group B was removed the nasal mucosal flap uncovering the bared bone. Patients were followed up for one year. The occurrence of granulation tissue, the proliferation of scar tissue and success rate of EES-DCR was compared. RESULTS: In the present study, complete postoperative data were acquired from 54 patients in group A and from 57 patients in group B. During process of review, the occurrence of granulation tissue was at the ostium margins account for 15% (8/54) in group A and 39% (22/57) in group B (P<0.05). At the one-year review, scar tissue was present in 5 patients in group A compared with 18 in group B (P<0.05). The success rate of EES-DCR was 98% (53/54) in group A and 84% (48/57) in group B (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The simple modification of fashioning nasal mucosal flap can effectively cover the bared bone around the opened sac and reduce formation of granulation tissue, lessen the risk of scar tissue formation and closure of ostium, thus improve the success rate of EES-DCR in Asians.