Effect of age on primary balloon dacryocystoplasty and probing success in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the success rates of balloon dacryocystoplasty (BDP) and probing as a primary procedure in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) and investigate the effect of age on both procedures.Methods: A total of 135 patients (171 eyes) with simple or incomplete complex CNLDO were included in this retrospective study; complete complex CNLDO cases were excluded. The success rates for primary BDP (118 eyes) and for probing (53 eyes) were compared as overall and among the age groups; Group 1 (12-24 months old), Group 2 (25-36 months old), and Group 3 (> 36 months old).Results: Mean age of the patients was 41.5±27.2 months for primary BDP, and 21.8±10.8 months for probing (p<0.001). Overall success rates for primary BDP and probing were 81.1% (43/53) and 76.3% (90/118), respectively (p=0.481). Success rates for BDP and probing among age groups were, 93.8% and 85.3% in Group 1 (p=0.306), 93.3% and 50.0% in Group 2 (p=0.012), and 63.6% and 27.3% in Group 3 (p=0.052), respectively. Cox regression analysis showed that the median ages were 18 months for probing and 36 months for primary BDP. Poisson regression model showed that, for every one-month increase in patients' age, the success rate of probing decreased by 9.7%. Conclusion:Probing success decreased to a point where different treatment options such as primary BDP can be discussed with the patient's parents after 18 months of age. The success of BDP decreased after 36 months, while it maintained a high success rate between 24-36 months as primary treatment.

Surgical Outcomes in Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction After Probing Failure: A One-Stage Approach

“…However, in recent studies, Dericioğlu et al reported a higher overall success rate of 81.1% for BDP in their study. They maintained that primary BDP had a high rate of efficacy between 24 and 36 months, but that its success rate declined after 36 months ( 35 ). In our study, the lower success rate observed might be explained by the average age of patients undergoing BDP, which was 36±17 months with a median age of 31 months.…”

The Challenges and Therapeutic Prospects in Eye Disease

“…Balloon dacryocystoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can achieve lacrimal system patency and is usually performed mainly in cases of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction with failed probing [ 11 ]. It is known to be more effective than probing alone in older children after 18 months of age with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction [ 12 ]. It may also be used for the treatment of adult patients with partial nasolacrimal duct obstruction, especially in those who are poor candidates for dacryocystorhinostomy or general anesthesia [ 13 ].…”