title: A meta-analysis of primary dacryocystorhinostomy with and without silicone intubation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine possible differences in success rates of primary dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with and without silicone intubation, and to find out whether the use of silicone tubes is beneficial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was conducted in the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register to identify potentially relevant controlled trials.
  
  
  METHODS
  Language was restricted to English. The surgical techniques were categorized into external DCR (EX-DCR), endonasal laser-assisted DCR (LA-DCR), and nonlaser endoscopic endonasal DCR techniques (EN-DCR). The main outcome measure was success rates after DCR-with and DCR-without silicone intubation. The statistical analysis was carried out using a RevMan 5.0 software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 188 retrieved trials from the electronic database, 9 trials (5 randomized controlled trials and 4 cohort studies) involving 514 cases met our inclusion criteria. There was no statistically significant heterogeneity between the studies. The pooled risk ratio was 0.99, with a 95% confidence interval (0.91-1.08). There was no significant difference in the success rates between the DCR with and without silicone intubation (p = 0.81). Sensitivity analysis and subgroups analyses suggested that the result was comparatively reliable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on this meta-analysis that included 5 randomized controlled trials and 4 cohort studies, no benefit was found for silicone tube intubation in primary DCR. Further well-organized, prospective, randomized studies involving larger patient numbers are required.
authors.affiliation: The Affiliated Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Yi-Fan
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Jian-Qiu
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Jia-Yu
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiao-Hui
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D016208:Databases, Factual; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000628:therapy*; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012828:Silicones; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D012828:Silicones