Analysis of the Success Rate of Silicone Tube Intubation According to Lacrimal Endoscopy Findings

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term outcome and prognostic factors according to the degree of obstruction after silicone tube intubation in patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO).Methods: From March 2016 to July 2020, the medical records of 145 eyes of 107 patients with NLDO who underwent silicone tube intubation and had been followed for more than 6 months were analyzed retrospectively. The preoperative lacrimal irrigation and degree of obstruction were classified into three groups, and the surgery outcome was also evaluated. Successful surgery was defined as a case in which the epiphora improved, the height of the tear meniscus decreased, and there was no reflux in the postoperative lacrimal irrigation. Risk factors for recurrence were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.Results: Surgery was successful in 99 eyes (68.3%), while recurrence occurred in 46 eyes (31.7%) after silicone tube removal. The average follow-up period was 23.09 months. The recurrence rate was 30.4%, 29.3%, and 50.0% for functional, partial, and total NLDO, respectively, and did not differ significantly (p = 0.300). The risk of recurrence was higher at older age (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.079, p < 0.001) and with a history of facial palsy (aHR = 4.031, p = 0.019), and was lower in the functional NLDO group than in the total NLDO group (aHR = 0.368, p = 0.040). In the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, the total NLDO group differed significantly from the functional NLDO group (log-rank, p = 0.011).Conclusions: Age, a history of facial palsy, and the degree of preoperative obstruction were associated with the prediction of recurrence after silicone tube intubation in patients with NLDO.

Long-term Outcome and Predictors of Silicone Tube Intubation for Patients with Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

Koh¹,

Choi²,

Lee³

et al. 2022

Therapeutic Effects and Limitations of Lacrimal Endoscopy without Silicone Tube Intubation

Yoon¹,

Son²,

Ahn³

2023

Purpose: To evaluate the effects and limitations of lacrimal endoscopy without silicone tube intubation in patients with epiphora.Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 64 eyes in 49 patients who underwent lacrimal endoscopy between May 2021 and May 2022. The clinical characteristics, irrigation test results, lacrimal endoscopic findings, and type of surgery were analyzed.Results: The mean duration of symptoms was 31.2 months, and was significantly longer in the failure group than in the success group (p = 0.043). Irrigation tests showed passage, partial obstruction, and complete obstruction in 20 (31.3%), 16 (25.0%), and 28 (43.7%) eyes, respectively. Lacrimal endoscopy showed narrowing, mucus, fibrosis, granulation, and stones in 41 (64.0%), 12 (18.8%), 6 (9.3%), 3 (4.7%), and 2 (3.1%) eyes, respectively. Following lacrimal endoscopy, 32 (50.0%) eyes each were included in the success and failure groups. Preoperative irrigation test results did not affect the success rate (p = 0.203). Silicone tube intubation and dacryocystorhinostomy were performed in 5 (7.8%) and 8 (12.5%) eyes, respectively, because the symptoms did not improve after lacrimal endoscopy.Conclusions: Lacrimal endoscopy, performed without silicone tube intubation, was effective in improving symptoms and may guide the choice of surgical technique, if required.

Effect of Lacrimal Endoscopy on Operation Time in Silicone Tube Intubation for Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

Heo,

Kim,

Ahn

2024

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of lacrimal endoscopy on operation time in silicone tube intubation for patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction.Methods: We conducted retrograde chart review of 168 eyes of 107 patients who were diagnosed with acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction and underwent silicone tube intubation from January 2019 to February 2023. We analyzed relationship between use of lacrimal endoscopy and operation time, and effect of operation time on success rate of surgery according to use of lacrimal endoscopy.Results: Of 168 eyes, 58 eyes underwent silicone tube intubation with lacrimal endoscopy, and 110 eyes underwent silicone tube intubation without lacrimal endoscopy. Average operation time was 10.98 ± 2.24 minutes in the group with lacrimal endoscopy, and 12.44 ± 4.08 minutes in the group without lacrimal endoscopy. Operation time in the group with lacrimal endoscopy was relatively shorter and statistically significant (p = 0.003). When analyzing correlation between operation time and success rate, success rate decreased by 0.877 times when operation time increased by 1 minute in the entire group, and there was statistical significance (p = 0.022). There was no statistical significance in the correlation between operation time and success rate in the group with lacrimal endoscopy. And in the group without lacrimal endoscopy, success rate decreased by 0.865 times when operation time increased by 1 minute, and there was statistical significance (p = 0.019).Conclusions: In silicone tube intubation for nasolacrimal duct obstruction, Lacrimal endoscopy is considered an effective treatment that can shorten operation time and prevent complications while accurately diagnosing cause and extent of obstruction by investigating the inside of the nasolacrimal duct.