Outcome of patients with nasolacrimal polyurethane stent implantation: do they keep tearing?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the results of nasolacrimal polyurethane stent implantation for the treatment of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction and the effects of obstructed nasolacrimal stent on subsequent dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).


METHODS
This study was designed as a nonrandomized, prospective clinical trial. Stent implantation was attempted in 53 obstructed lacrimal drainage systems of 47 patients. Stent placement was performed in a retrograde fashion through the external nare over a guide wire, which was introduced from the upper punctum. Occluded stents were removed either with nasal endoscopy or during DCR. External DCR surgery with silicone intubation was performed in cases with stent failure.


RESULTS
The mean follow-up period was 23.4 months. The success rate of stent implantation was 60.4%, 37.5%, and 31.2% at 6-, 12-, and 18-month follow-up, respectively. Stent obstruction developed in 33 eyes. Twenty underwent external DCR with silicone intubation. During DCR surgery, varying degrees of chronic inflammatory reaction were detected in the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct. The mean follow-up period after DCR was 10.3 months. Epiphora was relieved with DCR in all but one eye.


CONCLUSIONS
The success rate of nasolacrimal polyurethane stent implantation for the treatment of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction is low and may induce inflammation and fibrous tissue formation. Although this may cause further difficulties in subsequent lacrimal surgery, epiphora could be relieved with meticulous technique.
Oztürk
Sertaç
S
Department of Ophthalmology, Gazi University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
Konuk
Onur
O
Ilgit
Erhan T
ET
Unal
Mehmet
M
Erdem
Ozlem
O
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D020878:Device Removal; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D011140:Polyurethanes; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D012086:Reoperation; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011140:Polyurethanes