Polyurethane stents for lacrimal duct stenoses: 5-year results.
OBJECTIVE
To present 5-year results of polyurethane stent implantation for treatment of postsaccal lacrimal duct stenoses.


METHODS
Ninety-two consecutive patients admitted to our hospital for stent implantation between 1997 and 2001 were retrospectively analysed. The patients who were not re-treated in our clinic were asked by questionnaire about their satisfaction and complaints.


RESULTS
In 5 patients (5.4%) the implantation was not completed, 38 patients (41.3%) were re-treated due to relapsing epiphora during follow-up, and 11 stents (12.0%) were removed by dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). Five stents (5.4%) were extracted transnasally. Four stents (4.3%) were removed in another hospital. Eighteen patients (19.6%) had relapsing epiphora but have not been re-treated so far. Forty-nine of 92 patients (53.3%) were not re-treated in our clinic and were interrogated by means of a questionnaire. Twenty-seven answered (55.1%), 8 did not answer (16.3%) and 14 patients (28.6%) did not receive the letter because they had moved away or died. Only 12 of the patients who answered the questionnaire had no or slight complaints (44.4%, or 18.5% of all treated patients).


CONCLUSIONS
The long-term success rate of polyurethane stent implantation is very low (18.5%).
Bertelmann
Eckart
E
Department of Ophthalmology, Charité University School of Medicine Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. Eckart.Bertelmann@charite.de
Rieck
Peter
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D011140:Polyurethanes; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011140:Polyurethanes