title: Use of mini-monoka stents for punctal/canalicular stenosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Proximal lacrimal system stenosis may cause debilitating epiphora and recurrent ocular infections. Mini-monoka stents are primarily used in the management of canalicular lacerations. Evidence regarding their use to treat punctal/canalicular stenosis is sparse. Compared with dacryocystorhinostomy, a punctocanaliculoplasty with mini-monoka stenting is quicker, less invasive with reduced postoperative complications/recovery time.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effectiveness of mini-monoka punctocanaliculoplasty for treatment of punctal/canalicular stenosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective case note analysis was performed on 77 consecutive patients (123 eyes).
  
  
  RESULTS
  73% of eyes had punctal stenosis, 72% had canalicular stenosis; 46% had a combination of the above. 20% had some degree of lid laxity and 29% had nasolacrimal duct stenosis. 101 eyes (82%) had significant improvement in symptoms and were discharged without further intervention. Excluding the patients with structural comorbidity the success rate improved to 88%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mini-monoka punctocanaliculoplasty is an effective, safe, simple and relatively non-invasive treatment strategy for the management of epiphora secondary to punctal and/or canalicular stenosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Infirmary Square, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK. rumanahussain@hotmail.com
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kanani
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McMullan
mesh_terms: D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D005143:Eyelids / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012828:Silicones; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D012828:Silicones