Application of a new lacrimal drainage device in the treatment of lacrimal duct diseases

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of a new lacrimal drainage device in patients with lacrimal duct diseases.Methods: The new lacrimal passage probing and draining device consists of a metallic probe on both ends and a soft silicon tube in the middle. Thirty five patients (25 cases of dacryocycstitis and 10 cases of lacrimal laceration) were treated by probing lacrimal passage first. The device was inserted from the superior inferior punctum, into the opening of nasolacrimal canal under topic anesthesia, and then the ends of the device were extracted in the nasal cavity with the aid of an endoscope. After cutting off the metallic probes, the tube was retained in the nasolacrimal canal and to be extracted three months after surgery. Results: Symptoms disappeared in the first week after surgery. Three months after extraction of the tube, the nasolacrimal passage in 20 cases of chronic dacryocystits and 10 cases of lacrimal laceration could drain well and recurrence was identified in 5 cases of dacryocyctis. Conclusion: The new lacrimal drainage device is effective in the treatment of chronic dacryocystitis and stenosis of nasolacrimal canal