[Lacrimal duct obstruction treated with lacrimonasal stent].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze a series of patients with lacrimal duct obstruction treated with polyurethane stents.


METHODS
We studied 125 cases of lacrimal duct obstruction corresponding to 115 patients, of whom 30 were males (26.08%) and 85 females (73.91%). The obstruction involved the right side in 51 cases (40.8%) and the left side in 74 (59.2%). Mean age was 65 +/- 14.64 years. Symptoms included chronic epiphora in 65 patients (52%), acute lacrimal sac inflammation in 33 (26.4%), mucocele in 6 (4.8%) and recurrent conjunctivitis in 4 (3.2%). Seventeen patients came to us diagnosed with lacrimal duct obstruction. Time of follow up was one year.


RESULTS
Stents were successfully implanted in 120 cases (96%). Surgical complications included pain in 5.83%, eyelid inflammation in 5%, nasal bleeding in 0.83% and false duct in 0.83%. Functional success was achieved in 82 patients (68.3%), and surgical failure occurred in 38 patients (31.7%). Mean time of stent failure was 178 days. In these cases, inner granulation tissue was found in 63.15% of the cases and mucoid material in 36.85%. The most common postoperative complication was mucocele formation, which ocurred in 7.5% of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
In our experience, polyurethane stent implantation is a good alternative for treating nasolacrimal obstruction, but not as effective as endonasal or external dacryocystorhinostomy.
Soler Machín
J
J
Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, España.
Castillo Laguarta
J M
JM
De Gregorio Ariza
M A
MA
Medrano
J
J
Cristóbal Bescós
J A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003607:Dacryocystitis / Q000209:etiology; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009078:Mucocele / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome