Intubation of the Ostium and Nasolacrimal Duct With a Single Self-Linking Silicone Stent in External Dacryocystorhinostomy

PURPOSE: To describe a stent placement method that eliminates stent prolapse in external dacryocystorhinostomy. METHODS: A retrospective, institutional review board- approved case series of patients undergoing external dacryocystorhinostomy with an alternative stenting method. Following anastomosis of the posterior flaps, one arm of a Crawford silicone stent is passed through each canaliculus. Both arms are then passed through the nasolacrimal duct and retrieved in the inferior meatus. The 2 distal arms are redirected in the nose; one arm is looped around the proximal portions within the lacrimal sac and tied to the second arm. The stent is self-linked around the inferior turbinate. RESULTS: Nine patients underwent external dacryocystorhinostomy with alternative stenting. None experienced postoperative stent prolapse. At last follow-up (average, 38 months; range, 5-102 months), 8 patients reported resolution of tearing and exhibited normal dye clearance. On compression of the lacrimal sac, none of these 8 patients exhibited reflux of stagnant tears or dye through the canaliculi. CONCLUSIONS: This alternative method improves stent retention by using the inferior turbinate as a stopper to eliminate stent prolapse. The self-linking nature obviates the need and expense of additional biomedical devices.