title: A novel procedure for treating canalicular obstruction by re-canaliculisation and bicanalicular intubation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate a new procedure for treating canalicular obstruction by re-canaliculisation and bicanalicular intubation (RC-BCI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty adult patients (32 eyes) with canalicular obstruction were treated with RC-BCI from September 2005 to December 2007 at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre (Guangzhou, China). Silicone tubes were left in place for 2-3 months and were removed when patients had relief by tearing. Patients were evaluated postoperatively by symptoms, lacrimal irrigation and satisfaction rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean follow-up time after tube removal was 21.5 (range 6-26) months. Twenty-six eyes (81.25%) had complete epiphora relief, two eyes (6.25%) had partial relief and four eyes (12.5%) had no improvement after the removal of the tubes. One eye (3.13%) had lower punctum splitting 2 months after the surgery. The overall satisfaction rate was 93.3% in 30 patients. No other complications occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings demonstrated that the RC-BCI was an effective procedure for treating canalicular obstruction with few complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, The People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Naiyang
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Pengxia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Jianhui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xiaoran
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zhichong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation / Q000379:methods*; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012086:Reoperation; D012828:Silicones; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012828:Silicones