title: Ritleng intubation system for treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
abstract: Twenty-eight patients (34 eyes) with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction underwent silicone intubation with the Ritleng lacrimal intubation system. The technique involves introduction of a Prolene (Ethicon Inc, Somerville, NJ) monofilament guide thread, securely fastened to the silicone tubing, into a tubular metal probe that opens into the inferior meatus. The outcome was evaluated in terms of ease of intubation and objective success rate. Thirty-two (94%) of the 34 lacrimal systems were successfully intubated with the Ritleng system. Difficulty passing the Prolene thread through the probe and out the tip, necessitating conversion to a Crawford intubation system, was encountered in only 2 eyes (6%). The Prolene spontaneously emerged from the nose in 24 (75%) of 32 eyes, making retrieval simple and uncomplicated. The success rate for relieving signs and symptoms of obstruction was 97% (31/32) for the eyes with the Ritleng system and 100% (2/2) for the eyes with the Crawford system. Bicanalicular silicone intubation with the Ritleng intubation system is an easy and effective technique for treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
authors.affiliation: University Eye Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown 26506-9193, USA.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pe
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Langford
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Linberg
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sondhi
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007440:Intubation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000151:congenital* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct; D011126:Polypropylenes; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011126:Polypropylenes; D012826:Silicone Elastomers