title: Comparison of treatment for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing the success and complication rates among various congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) procedures, intervention times, and tubes types.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review with quantitative meta-analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were identified by searching the PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases. The comparisons between categorical variables were analyzed using the χ(2) test, and the dichotomous outcomes were reported as risk ratios. The precision of the effect size was based on the 95% confidence interval.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven studies published between 2007 and 2013 were included. Immediate versus observation/deferred probing had similar rates of success (82.7% vs 81.8%). Balloon dacryocystoplasty and silicone intubation had similar rates of success (79.8% vs 77.8%). Monocanalicular and bicanalicular intubation had similar rates of success (88.3% vs 88.0%). The dislocation rates for monocanalicular versus bicanalicular intubation were 8.5% and 9.8%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immediate and deferred probing do not differ in their success rates. No difference in success rates was observed between balloon dilation and intubation. Monocanalicular and bicanalicular intubation were similar in their success and dislocation rates. Therefore, the preference of surgeons on the treatment of CNLDO should be discussed with parents to ensure the best possible outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City.
authors.forename: Allen E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Education and Research, Post Graduate Year, Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital, Taipei.
authors.forename: Yu-Chieh
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City.
authors.forename: Meng-Ying
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City; Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Center for Evidence-Based Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ka-Wai
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Tam
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City. Electronic address: ydshen0208@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Yun-Dun
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D021721:Balloon Occlusion; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000151:congenital* / Q000628:therapy*; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct; D015607:Stents