Results of probing guided with soft cannula in children with nasolacrimal duct obstruction

Abstract

Objectives To compare between the successes of probing using soft cannula (a 22 G) versus conventional probing in children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Background Congenital obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct is a common problem in the early years of life. Obstruction can occur in 6–20% of neonates. The usual cause is failure of canalization of the epithelial cells that form the nasolacrimal duct as it enters the valve of Hasner. Patients and methods This prospective, randomized study was conducted on 36 children (48 eyes) having congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction presented to the outpatient clinic of Menoufia University Hospital and Kafer El-Sheikh Ophthalmology Center from November 2016 to July 2018. The children were divided into two groups: group A, 18 children (24 eyes) operated by conventional probing and group B, 18 children (24 eyes) operated by probing using soft cannula. The patients were monitored for 6 months postoperatively. Results Clinically successful results were achieved in 20 eyes (83.4%) for conventional probing group and 19 eyes (79.2%) for soft cannula group. No significant complication occurred intraoperatively or postoperatively. Conclusion Soft cannula probing is an effective and simple method with no significant complication for the treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. This method allows probing in a more controlled way. However, there was no statistical difference between it and conventional probing.