title: Sixteen-year experience with the Putterman-Gladstone tube for conjunctival dacryocystorhinostomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the Putterman-Gladstone tube is a safe and effective lacrimal bypass tube in conjunctival dacryocystorhinostomy surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients who underwent conjunctival dacryocystorhinostomy with the Putterman-Gladstone tube between January 1994 and December 2010. Clinical data reviewed included demographics, ocular and surgical history, epiphora symptoms, complications, and repeat surgery information. Success was defined as resolution of epiphora or greatly improved symptoms of epiphora at last follow up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-five patients and 29 eyes of patients undergoing conjunctival dacryocystorhinostomy surgery with Putterman-Gladstone were identified. Mean follow up was 35.61 months. Complications of surgery included occlusion in 10.3%, malposition in 17.2%, discomfort in 24.1%, and extrusion in 37.9%. Median time to extrusion was 8 months. Repeat operative intervention was required in 41.4% of patients. Twenty-five of 29 (86.2%) patients had complete resolution of epiphora or only mild residual epiphora at last follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This retrospective chart review demonstrates the efficacy and safety of the Putterman-Gladstone tube in conjunctival dacryocystorhinostomy surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Vinay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Aakalu
authors.forename: Richard Scott
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Groat
authors.forename: Allen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Putterman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000601:surgery*; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult