title: Buried Probe in Complex Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstructions: Clinical Profiles and Outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the clinical profiles and outcomes of buried probe variant of complex congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review of all patients endoscopically diagnosed as a buried probe variant of complex CNLDO, over a 3.5 year period from a single surgeon's (MJA) database were included in the study. A detailed lacrimal system evaluation was performed and intraoperative findings including nasal endoscopy were documented. A minimum follow up of 3 months following the final intervention was considered for analysis. Anatomical and functional success of the interventions was assessed at the final follow up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-two eyes of 21 patients with buried probes were studied. The mean age at presentations was 41.2 months. Epiphora and discharge were the commonest presenting symptoms noted in 77.2% (17/22). Associated lacrimal anomalies include punctal agenesis, incomplete punctal canalization and atonic lacrimal sac. All patients underwent irrigation and probing under nasal endoscopic guidance. Further, 3 patients underwent endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy for persistent CNLDO. At a mean follow up of 4.9 months, the final anatomical and functional successes were noted in 90.9% and 81.8%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Buried probe is a variant of complex CNLDO, noted more commonly in older children. Endoscopic guidance is crucial for its diagnosis and satisfactory outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Dacryology Service, L. V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Adit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Saurabh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kamal
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Javed Ali
authors.forename: Milind N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Naik
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents