A new, wider-diameter Crawford tube for stenting in the lacrimal drainage system.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether technology is available to secure a larger-diameter Crawford tube swedged onto the metal Crawford introducer and to use the system in a closed intubation to treat a failed dacryocystorhinostomy.


METHODS
A metal ferrule has been developed to swedge a larger-diameter Crawford tube onto the standard Crawford probe. Seven patients with failed dacryocystorhinostomy procedures were treated with probing and intubation with the use of this larger-tube Crawford system.


RESULTS
Six of the 7 patients had patent lacrimal systems after the tubes were removed, a result comparable to open revision after a failed dacryocystorhinostomy. In each case, on insertion, the tube remained firmly attached to the Crawford probe and did not dislodge.


CONCLUSIONS
The technology of using a metal ferrule at the junction of the standard Crawford probe and a larger silicone tube was successful in creating a Crawford system with greater dilation capability than the standard Crawford system. The technique of probing and intubation with this larger Crawford system may be a simple alternative to open revision of a failed dacryocystorhinostomy procedure.
Hurwitz
Jeffrey J
JJ
Mount Sinai Hospital, 408-600 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X5 Canada.
D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation / Q000379:methods*; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000628:therapy*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012086:Reoperation; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D015607:Stents; D017211:Treatment Failure
D012826:Silicone Elastomers