Monocanalicular Silicone Intubation Research Articles

Management of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in down syndrome.

Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) is common in Down Syndrome (DS), and more difficult to treat. Our purpose was to describe the management of CNLDO in paediatric patients with DS. Retrospective cohort study. Medical chart review of all DS patients diagnosed with CNLDO at the Division of Ophthalmology at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia during a 12-year period (2009-2020). Main outcome measures included: Surgical interventions, primary probing outcome, rate of dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and/or conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy (CDCR), and overall success. 126 patients (236 eyes) were included, mean age of 1.8 ± 2.1 years (range 0.1-11.3 y), 110 (87%) had bilateral CNLDO. Mean follow-up time was 41 months. 84 patients (67%) underwent at least one surgical intervention; the mean number of surgical interventions in this group was 1.8 ± 1.4 per patient (range, 1-6). The most common primary intervention was probing (n = 74, 88%), mostly (n = 57, 68%) with monocanalicular silicone intubation. Probing with silicone intubation had a higher success rate compared to probing alone (P = 0.002). Twenty (24% of 84) patients underwent DCR/CDCR during the follow-up period. Complete resolution was achieved in 123 patients (98%). CNLDO in Down syndrome is associated with high rates of bilateral obstructions and with less favourable surgical outcomes. Many patients ultimately require a more robust surgical intervention such as DCR or CDCR. The use of monocanalicular stent in initial probing was associated with a higher success rate, and would appear to be appropriate in all CNLDO-DS cases.

Pulled versus Pushed Monocanalicular Silicone Intubation in Adults with Lacrimal Drainage System Stenosis: A Comparative Case Series.

Purpose To compare the success rate and complications of pulled versus pushed monocanalicular intubation in adults with incomplete lacrimal drainage system obstruction (lacrimal drainage system stenosis). Methods Patients with lacrimal drainage system stenosis (Munk grade ≥3), including both nasolacrimal duct (NLD) stenosis and common canalicular stenosis, were recruited in this prospective comparative case series. Patients underwent probing and either Monoka (51 eyes) or Masterka (48 eyes) intubation under general or local anesthesia. Tubes were removed 4–14 weeks after the procedure. Six months after tube removal, Munk grades 0 and 1 were defined as a complete success, Munk grade 2 was defined as a partial success, and Munk grade ≥3 was defined as failure. All complications were recorded. Results Ninety-nine eyes from 89 patients with lacrimal drainage system stenosis who underwent either Monoka (51 eyes) or Masterka (48 eyes) intubation were included. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 55.4 (12) years in the Monoka group and 53.5 (12.9) in the Masterka group. Groups were matched on demographics. Masterka intubation could not be performed in one eye. Complete and partial successes were observed in 52.9% (27/51) and 17.6% (9/51) of eyes in the Monoka group and 42.6% (20/47) and 12.8% (6/47) of eyes in the Masterka group, respectively (p=0.29). There was a trend toward a higher total success rate in patients with NLD stenosis treated with Monoka 66.7% (26/39) than Masterka 45.5% (15/33) intubation (p=0.07). This trend also existed in patients with common canalicular stenosis (83.3% (10/12) vs. 76.6% (11/14), p=0.75). Age, sex, bilateral involvement, and duration of intubation did not have a significant impact on the success rate. Early tube loss, slit puncta, and temporary superficial punctate keratopathy were observed complications. Conclusion Intubation with the pulled monocanalicular silicone tube was associated with a slightly but not significantly higher success rate in adults with lacrimal drainage system stenosis. Patients with NLD stenosis may achieve better results with pulled silicone tubes.

A novel monocanalicular silicone intubation technique for canalicular laceration repair

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and reliability of a novel monocanalicular silicone intubation (nMCI) technique for canalicular laceration repair in a series of patients treated over a 3-year period. The case records of 86 patients (86 eyes) who had undergone nMCI-based surgical repair of canalicular lacerations were retrospectively reviewed. The silicone tube removal was planned for 3 months postoperatively. A minimal follow-up of 6 months was adopted for the final analysis. The primary outcome measures included anatomical patency on irrigation and relief from epiphora, which were assessed subjectively and objectively through a fluorescein dye disappearance test. A total of 86 patients (72 males and 14 females; mean age = 34 years) were included. The upper canaliculus was damaged in 13 cases, while the lower canaliculus was damaged in 73 cases. Successful stenting was achieved in all cases. The postoperative eyelid position was satisfactory in the majority of the patients. The mean period of stenting was 3 months, while the mean postoperative follow-up period was 6 months. There were no cases of premature stent extrusion. The functional drainage following stent removal was normal in 95% of the patients, while the syringing revealed full patency with no narrowing or reflux. The present results suggest that the nMCI technique presents an effective and atraumatic surgical approach for adult patients with canalicular lacerations. The main advantages of the technique are the simple insertion and the easy removal of the tube, which results in high anatomical and functional success rates and offers an effective alternative in the treatment of monocanalicular lacerations.

Imperméabilité lacrymonasale simple de l’enfant : comparaison entre une intubation monocanaliculaire « tirée » type Monoka versus intubation monocanaliculaire « poussée » type Masterka

The primary cause of congenital epiphora, congenital nasolacrymal duct obstruction (CNLDO) affects 5 to 20% of newborns. In children over 12 months, it is currently recommended to treat with primary probing and intubation of the nasolacrymal duct under general anesthesia. The purpose of this study is to compare "pulled" monocanalicular intubation (Monoka) versus "pushed" monocanalicular intubation (Masterka). This retrospective study included 73 children between 2014 and 2017 who presented with CNLDO with membranous (mucosal) obstruction. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation. Children with CNLDO underwent either monocanalicular silicone intubation (Monoka) with classic nasal recovery or pushed monocanalicular intubation (Masterka) inserted via the canthus. Treatment success was defined as complete resolution of epiphora at two months after the procedure. Surgical outcomes were assessed in 53 eyes with Monoka and 20 eyes with Masterka intubation. The mean age at treatment was 25 months (range, 12-69 months) for the two groups. Treatment success was achieved in 19 of 20 eyes (95.0%) in the Masterka group compared with 50 of 53 eyes (94.0%) in the Monoka group. A tube loss occured in 14% of cases in both groups. In children over 12 months of age, the Masterka "pushed" monocanalicular intubation technique is an effective treatment for congenital nasolacrymal duct obstruction.

A Comparison between Pulled and Pushed Monocanalicular Silicone Intubation in Management of Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

Background: Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) is usually caused by a membranous block at the valve of Hasner. Symptoms of CNLOD include epiphora, mucous discharge, or mucopurulent discharge. Many CNLDOs can resolve spontaneously by the first year of life. Children who ultimately have unsuccessful responses to canalization will undergo invasive procedures for CNLDO, including probing, silicone intubation, balloon dacryocystoplasty and dacryocystorhinostomy. There are two types of lacrimal intubation, monocanalicular and bicanalicular. Pushed monocanalicular stent is characterized by the probe guide actually placed inside the silicone tube, rather than attached at the end as in conventional ‘‘pulled’’ intubations stents. Aim of the work: was to compare the success rate of pulled monocanalicular (MCI) versus pushed monocanalicular silicone intubation (PMCI) of the nasolacrimal duct for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Patients and methods: In a prospective randomized clinical trial 67 eyes of 67 patients with CNLDO underwent either pulled monocanalicular silicone intubation (MCI) (=32 eyes) or PMCI ( =35 eyes). Cases were considered successful if reached grade 0 or 1 in fluorescein dye disappearance test -complete or partial resolution of symptoms - after two months after tube removal. Results: This study included only patients with simple obstruction at the level of the Hasner valve and diagnosed intraoperative during the initial probing thus, the surgical outcome was assessed in 30 eyes of 30 patients in the MCI groups. 15 eyes received MCI in the upper punctum and 15 eyes received MCI in the lower punctum. The other 30 eyes 30 patients did PMCI with Masterka tube. 15 eyes received PMCI in the upper punctum and 15 eyes received PMCI in the lower punctum. 33 females (55%) & 27 males (45%) with age ranged from 12 to 46 months with mean of 26 ± 11 months. Follow-up of the patients was done at 1 week, 1 month, 2 and 3 months post-operative. Tube removal was done 3 months post operatively in both types of tube. The overall success rate in the MCI intubation groups was 86.7%, whereas in the PMCI intubation groups was 80%. However, the difference in the success rates between the two groups was statistically insignificant (P= 0.4884) using Chi-square test. Conclusion: Results indicate that MCI has higher success rate in CNLDO treatment compared with PMCI in this small series of patients.

A Comparison between Pulled and Pushed Monocanalicular Silicone Intubation in Management of Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

A Comparison between Pulled and Pushed Monocanalicular Silicone Intubation in Management of Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

Clinical Effectiveness of Monocanalicular Silicone Intubation for Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction Under Nasal Endoscopic Visualization of the Terminal End of the Obstructed Nasolacrimal Duct.

To evaluate the cause of nasolacrimal duct obstruction through confirmation by nasal endoscopic findings of Hasner's valve and to report the success rate of monocanalicular silicone intubation (MCI) for the management of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO). Seventy-seven eyes of 56 patients with CNLDO underwent MCI under nasal endoscopic visualization of the terminal end of the obstructed nasolacrimal duct at the Korea University Ansan Hospital and Guro Hospital from October 2008 to March 2013. The following demographic information was analyzed: age, sex, endoscopic findings of Hasner's valve during operation, complications, and outcomes. The main outcome measures were disappearance of epiphora symptoms beginning the first 2 months after removal of the silicone tube. The silicone tube was removed under topical anesthesia in the office between 2 and 3 months, postoperatively. The mean (± SD) age of the study population was 29.8 (± 26.9) months (range: 6 months to 12 years). Under nasal endoscopic view, 45 ducts (58.4%) had a thin membranous obstruction or had a simple stenotic opening of Hasner's valve. Seven ducts (9.1%) had thick obstructing membranes with probe passage under the lateral nasal mucosa. Twenty-three ducts (29.9%) showed the probe tip protruding through balloon-like nasal mucosa. Two ducts (2.6%) appeared to have probe protrusion through a stretchable valve. The overall success rate was 89.6% (69/77). The incidence of tube prolapse and tube loss was 18.2% (14 eyes) and 13.0% (10 eyes), respectively. No other complications were observed. Monocanalicular silicone intubation under nasal endoscopic visualization of the terminal end of the obstructed nasolacrimal duct can be an effective procedure for the management of CNLDO.

A comparison between monocanalicular and pushed monocanalicular silicone intubation in the treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

To compare the success rate of monocanalicular versus pushed monocanalicular silicone intubation (PMCI) of the nasolacrimal duct for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO). In a prospective randomized clinical trial 53 eyes of 49 patients with CNLDO underwent either monocanalicular silicone intubation (MCI) (n=28 eyes) or PMCI (n=25 eyes). All procedures were performed by 1 oculoplastic surgeon. Treatment success was defined as the complete resolution of epiphora at 3mo after tube removal. The surgical outcome was assessed in 20 eyes with MCI and 20 eyes with PMCI. The mean age of treatment was 26.25±10.08mo (range, 13-49mo) for MCI and 26.85±12.25mo (range, 16-68mo) for PMCI. Treatment success was achieved in 18 of 20 eyes (90.0%) in the MCI group compared with 10 of 20 eyes (50%) in the PMCI group (P=0.01). In the PMCI group, the tube loss (30%) was greater than the MCI group (5%), however the differences between the 2 groups proved to be not significant (P=0.91). Our results indicate that MCI has higher success rate in CNLDO treatment compared with PMCI in this small series of patients.

Early loss of monocanalicular silicone tubes in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction: Incidence, predictors, and effect on outcome

PurposeTo study predictors and implications on outcome of premature silicone tube-loss, a post-operative complication of monocanalicular intubation (MCI) performed for treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO). MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of cases of post-operative loss of monocanalicular silicone tubes occurring at one medical center from January 2007 to December 2013. ResultsDuring the study period monocanclicular silicone tubes were lost in 24/54 eyes (44%) of 19/46 children. Multivariate regression analysis identified bilateral intubation as an important predictor of early tube-loss (r=0.54, P=0.006). Seven of eight (88%) children who had both eyes intubated prematurely lost their tubes compared to 12/38 (32%) children who had unilateral intubation (P=0.005). Treatment success was lower in eyes with early tube-loss (17/24 eyes, 71%) compared to eyes with full tube retention (25/30 eyes, 83%), however this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.333). In our study, treatment outcome correlated with duration of intubation (r=0.51, P=0.002). Surgical success was achieved in 33/39 eyes (85%) in which the tubes were retained at least 2 months compared to 7/15 eyes (47%) with shorter period of intubation (P=0.012). ConclusionsSpontaneous tube-loss is a post-operative complication of monocanalicular silicone intubation that can occur more frequently than previously reported in certain populations. Tube-loss occurring soon after surgery is often associated with persistent symptoms and increased need of reoperation.

Silicone Intubation for Nasolacrimal Duct Stenosis in Adults

The purpose of this study was to compare the success rate of monocanalicular versus that of bicanalicular silicone intubations of the nasolacrimal duct for nasolacrimal duct stenosis (NLDS) in adults (patent nasolacrimal duct with resistance to positive-pressure irrigation). In a prospective randomized clinical trial, 52 eyes of 38 patients with NLDS underwent either monocanalicular silicone intubation (MCI) (n = 26 eyes) or bicanalicular silicon intubation (BCI) (n = 26 eyes). All procedures were performed by 1 oculoplastic surgeon. Tube removal was planned for 3 months postoperatively. Treatment success was defined as the complete resolution of epiphora or intermittent epiphora with normal dye disappearance test at 6 months after tube removal. The surgical outcome was assessed in 25 eyes with MCI and 21 eyes with BCI. The mean (SD) age of treatment was 52.7 (18.6) years for MCI and 49 (18.8) years for BCI. Treatment success was achieved in 19 of 25 eyes (76%) in the MCI group compared with 16 of 21 eyes (76.2%) in the BCI group. Differences between the 2 groups proved to be not significant (P = 0.9). The only complication was peripunctal pyogenic granuloma in 2 eyes with BCI. Both MCI and BCI were successful in a similar percentage of patients with NLDS. The main advantages of the former technique were simple insertion and easy removal of the tube.

Monocanalicular versus bicanalicular silicone intubation for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction

To compare the success rate of monocanalicular versus bicanalicular silicone intubation of the nasolacrimal duct for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO). In a prospective randomized clinical trial, 70 eyes of 57 children with CNLDO underwent either monocanalicular silicone intubation (MCI) (n = 35 eyes) or bicanalicular silicone intubation (BCI) (n = 35 eyes). All procedures were performed by 1 oculoplastic surgeon. Tube removal was planned for 3 months postoperatively. The results were assessed using a Munk score. Treatment success was defined as Munk score 0-1 at 3 months after tube removal. The surgical outcome was assessed in 29 eyes with MCI and 27 eyes with BCI. The mean age of treatment was 34.9 ± 12.7 months for MCI and 38.7 ± 18.6 months for BCI. Treatment success was achieved in 25 of 29 eyes (86.2%; 95% CI, 79%-96%) in the MCI group compared with 24 of 27 eyes (89%; 95% CI, 84%-94%) in the BCI group (RR = 0.96; 95% CI, 0.79-1.18). There were no corneal or canalicular complications in either group. MCI and BCI were successful in a similar percentage of children with CNLDO. The mainadvantage of the former technique was easy tube removal without sedation in the office.

Retrograde Dilation of Postsaccal Lacrimal Stenosis

The causes of nasolacrimal duct stenosis in adults can vary greatly. In general, the symptoms can also vary, but most cases share a tendency toward recurring inflammations in the prestenotic area. The treatment of these disorders is limited to either conservative therapy to control inflammation or surgically invasive measures. By using balloon catheters, usually applied in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), dilation of the relative postsaccal stenosis can be performed under radiographic control. An exact diagnosis using various testing methods, including digital dacryocystography for detailed localization and documentation of any pathologic changes, is decisive to success. Only in cases of incomplete postsaccal stenosis is retrograde balloon dilation of the distal nasolacrimal duct indicated. A guide wire, designed for the PTCA balloon catheter set, is introduced via the canaliculus to the nasal cavity antegradely and caught with a thin hook and pulled from the naris, under visual control with an image converter. The balloon catheter is retrogradely threaded over the guide wire. The baloon is then placed at the site of the pathologic stenosis under radiographic control and dilated with high pressure. To ensure the permeability of the system, monocanalicular silicone intubation has to be performed immediately afterwards. This procedure has been performed successfully on 6 patients with a follow-up of 6 to 27 months. These initial results give rise to the hope that this minimally invasive, interdisciplinary technique represents a new alternative in the treatment of incomplete postsaccal lacrimal stenosis.

A Simplified Method of Monocanalicular Silicone Intubation

We present a simplified method of monocanalicular silicone intubation for the repair of single canaliculus lacerations. A monocanalicular loop of tubing running from the punctum, through the lacerated canaliculus, and out the cutdown site over the lacrimal sac, provides a secure silicone tube stent.