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Stent method may prevent prolapse in external dacryocystorhinostomy
Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2011;27(2):87-89.
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A novel stent placement method improved stent retention in external dacryocystorhinostomy, a study found.
The method eliminated the need for costly adjunctive medical devices, the study authors said.
"This self-linking silicone stent intubation method prevents stent prolapse, maintains a wider diameter of the internal ostium, and allows for straightforward stent removal with minimal discomfort to the patient," they said.
The method involves simultaneous cannulation of the nasolacrimal duct and a newly created internal ostium with both arms of a single set of stents. It enables fast, cost-effective stent removal.
The retrospective case series included nine patients who underwent dacryocystorhinostomy with the alternative stenting method. Mean patient age was 63.8 years. The average follow-up interval was 38 months (range: 5 months to 102 months).
Seven patients received a dual chain-linked stent and two received a single self-linked stent. The average interval before planned stent removal was 103 days.
Study results showed that no patients experienced postoperative stent prolapse. At final follow-up, eight patients showed resolution of tearing and normal dye clearance. With compression of the lacrimal sac, no patients showed reflux of stagnant tears or dye through the canaliculi.
Eight patients showed a lack of subjective tearing or objective reflux through the canaliculi, demonstrating that preoperative symptomatic epiphora were functionally resolved.
One patient had recurrence of tearing at 7.5 years but was unable to undergo clinical examination, the authors reported.