title: [Self-adjusting monocanalicular intubation for congenital lacrimal obstruction].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present our work with the Masterka self-adjusting monocanalicular intubation without nasal recuperation in congenital lacrimal obstruction in children over 12-months old.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 40 children between the ages of one and seven (average age 2.6 years) were consecutively operated on. The Masterka catheter has a flexible metal guide inside the silicone tube that covers it completely. The proximal end is fixed onto the lacrimal punctum by pushing it with a dilator or forceps. Its correct position was monitored and visually checked in real time during surgery in all cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average surgery time, excluding anaesthetic, was 1.56min, ranging from 1.05 to 4min. The final success was 97.5%, considering absence of epiphora, disappearance of colouring in lacrimal meniscus, and mucopurulent secretion. The average follow-up time was 15 months (ranging from 7 to 21 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Masterka intubation is an effective primary treatment. It is no more difficult than a simple catheter, since the surgical technique is similar, but with better functional results. It avoids the possibility of having to repeat the catheterization and it is easier to carry out than bicanalicular intubation, since there is no need to manipulate repeatedly or use surgical instruments in the inferior meatus, thus simplifying the process.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Lagrimal Internacional, Jaén, España. Electronic address: fealfe1@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Alañón
authors.affiliation: Instituto Lagrimal Internacional, Jaén, España.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Alañón
authors.affiliation: Instituto Lagrimal Internacional, Jaén, España.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marín-González
authors.affiliation: Instituto Lagrimal Internacional, Jaén, España.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: López-Marín
authors.affiliation: Instituto Lagrimal Internacional, Jaén, España.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Olmo
authors.affiliation: Instituto Lagrimal Internacional, Jaén, España.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.affiliation: Instituto Lagrimal Internacional, Jaén, España.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cárdenas
authors.affiliation: Instituto Lagrimal Internacional, Jaén, España.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alarcón
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007440:Intubation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000151:congenital / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Children; Congenital lacrimal obstruction; Dacriocistitis; Dacryocystitis; Epiphora; Epífora; Intubación monocanalicular autoajustable; Niños; Obstrucción lagrimal congénita; Self-adjusting monocanalicular intubation