[The effect of bicanalicular silicone tube implantation on the success rate of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy].
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated operative success rates of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with or without bicanalicular silicone tube implantation.


METHODS
Twenty-six eyes of 24 patients with simple epiphora (23 eyes) or chronic dacryocystitis (3 eyes) were treated by endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with (18 eyes) or without (8 eyes) bicanalicular silicone tube implantation. In the implantation group, one patient underwent endoscopic sinus surgery and two patients underwent submucosal resection. The silicone tubes were removed after a mean of 4.48 months (range 7 days to 6 months). The mean follow-up period was 12.4 months.


RESULTS
During the follow-up period, no significant differences were found between the two treatment groups with respect to the occurrence of epiphora. It disappeared in 17 eyes (94.5%) and in six eyes (75%) with or without silicone tube implantation, respectively. Operative success rates were significantly different between patients with simple epiphora (95.7%) and chronic dacryocystitis (33.3%). The only complication was a punctual damage seen in one patient.


CONCLUSIONS
The lack of a significantly high influence on the success rate, increased operative cost, and the risk for complications due to silicone tube insertions may be considered disadvantages of bicanalicular silicone tube implantation.
Yiğit
Ozgür
O
Department of Otolaryngology, Sişli Etfal Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. dryigit@hotmail.com.
Uzun
Hasan
H
Han
Turgay
T
Cakir
Burak Omür
BO
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012828:Silicones; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D012828:Silicones