Combined antegrade and retrograde intubation for the treatment of complex lacrimal duct obstruction

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of silicone lacrimal drainage tube combined with retrograde stent tube placement for complex lacrimal duct obstruction. Methods Twenty-six eyes of 26 cases of complex lacrimal duct obstruction were observed, including 16 eyes with both lacrimal canaliculus and nasolacrimal duct obstruction, 7 eyes with lacrimal canaliculus stenosis and chronic dacryocystitis and 3 eyes with lacrimal canaliculus, common canaliculus and nasolacrimal duct obstruction.They underwent combined lacrimal duct operation. All patients were followed up for 3~12 months.Periodic irrigation of lacrimal passage after operation were conducted, and the tubes were extracted 3 months after surgery. Symptoms and lacrimal duct irrigation condition of patients was observed. Results All the 26 eyes were successfully operated without any complication during operation. Finally 21 eyes were cured (80.77%), 3 eyes improved (11.54%) and 2 eyes invalid (7.69%). Conclusion Combined antegrade and retrograde whole lacrimal duct intubation is reliable in treatment of complex obstruction of lacrimal ducts. Key words: Obstruction, lacrimal duct, complex; Intubation, whole lacrimal duct, antegrade, retrograde