title: [Recanalization of nasolacrimal duct with radio frequency: preliminary study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the nasolacrimal duct reconstitution with radio frequency for restoration of lacrimal flow in cases of nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  The procedure was carried out in 16 eyes of 16 patients (13 women and 3 men) by the same surgeon, with monopolar high-frequency device at 450 kHz and 150 W, with local anesthesia under sedation. Inclusion criteria were lower lacrimal system obstruction (confirmed by dacryocystogram) and age over 18 years old. Exclusion criteria were previous trauma, acute dacryocystitis, cutaneous fistula, mucocele, previous lacrimal surgery and cardiac pacemaker.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients were followed for at least 120 days, patients were clinically evaluated at outpatient clinics for the presence of secretion, epiphora, reflux at compression of the lacrimal sac, placement of silicone tube and Milder test. At the 90-day postoperative visit, 13 patients had positive irrigation (81.25%) with clearance of lacrimal duct and 3 cases (18.75%) presented irrigation failure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nasolacrimal duct reconstitution with radio frequency was effective in treating nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
authors.affiliation: Setor de Plástica Ocular e Vias Lacrimais, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Santos - SCMS, Santos, SP, Brasil. clios.oft@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Eduardo Alonso
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Marco Antonio Campos
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: João Amaro Ferrari da
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Walton
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nosé
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome