A new, wider-diameter Crawford tube for stenting in the lacrimal drainage system.

Abstract

To determine whether technology is available to secure a larger-diameter Crawford tube swedged onto the metal Crawford introducer and to use the system in a closed intubation to treat a failed dacryocystorhinostomy. A metal ferrule has been developed to swedge a larger-diameter Crawford tube onto the standard Crawford probe. Seven patients with failed dacryocystorhinostomy procedures were treated with probing and intubation with the use of this larger-tube Crawford system. Six of the 7 patients had patent lacrimal systems after the tubes were removed, a result comparable to open revision after a failed dacryocystorhinostomy. In each case, on insertion, the tube remained firmly attached to the Crawford probe and did not dislodge. The technology of using a metal ferrule at the junction of the standard Crawford probe and a larger silicone tube was successful in creating a Crawford system with greater dilation capability than the standard Crawford system. The technique of probing and intubation with this larger Crawford system may be a simple alternative to open revision of a failed dacryocystorhinostomy procedure.