Clinicopathologic findings after nasolacrimal polyurethane stent implantations.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the results of nasolacrimal polyurethane stent implantations for the treatment of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction, and to determine the effects of various surgical procedures, including stent removal, in subsequent nasolacrimal duct obstruction.


METHODS
This study included 15 patients who had nasolacrimal polyurethane implantations for the treatment of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Occluded stents were removed either by nasal endoscopy or during dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). Cultures and biopsies were performed on the removed stents, and the results of the secondary DCR were analyzed for a 6-month follow-up period.


RESULTS
During stent removal surgery, various degrees of chronic inflammatory reaction and fibrous tissue formation were detected in the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct. Formations of granuloma and fibrous tissue were found in 15 eyes, and culture-positive reaction were found in nine of the 15 eyes. Conventional dacryocystorhinostomy surgery was performed in nine of the 15 eyes and a silicone tube was located at the canaliculi. Subjective and objective outcome were favorable in 13 of the 15 eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
The success rate of nasolacrimal polyurethane stent implantation for the treatment of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction is low. This may result from a chronic inflammatory reaction. Despite the low success rate of nasolacrimal polyurethane stent implantation, the success rate of endonasal DCR as a subsequent surgery is favorable.
Department of Ophthalmology, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
Jeong Heon
JH
Lee
Mi Sun
MS
Kang
Jae Wook
JW
Yang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000379:methods*; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011140:Polyurethanes; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011140:Polyurethanes