[Comparison of 2 lacrimal punctal occlusion methods].
OBJECTIVE
To study and compare two methods for canalicular occlusion: Cautery and Punctal Patch.


METHODS
The study included fourty patients divided in two groups of 20 patients. The end point was 4 occluded puncti. The first group underwent deep cauterization resulting in occlusion of the full vertical aspect of the canaliculus. The second group underwent punctal patch technique for canalicular occlusion. Differential parameters were the following: time of intervention, ease of use, risks and precision. In the post operatory, discomfort, subjective and objective improvement in ocular surface as well as long term result of each technique was analysed.


RESULTS
Time of intervention was longer for punctal patch compared to cautery. Both methods exhibited similar ease of use and improvement in ocular surface. Precision was high in punctal patch technique showing complete and final occlusion and no punctum needed reopening, while cautery technique presented 20% rate of reopening intervention. Postoperatory discomfort and irritation were remarkably evident with punctal technique, while minimal in cautery technique.


CONCLUSIONS
Survival analysis after one year follow up, showed a higher rate of advantages for punctal patch technique over cautery technique.
Shalaby
O
O
Hospital Oftalmológico Universitario, Tanta, Egipto, Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, España.
Rivas
L
L
Rivas
A I
AI
Oroza
M A
MA
Murube
J
J
D000368:Aged; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods