Closed intubation in epiphoric children

Prof mumtaz Hussain, A. Rehman, Irfan Qayyum

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to report a series of
paediatric patients who underwent closed intubation with silicon tube for nasolacrimal duct obstruction within the first 4 years of life.

Method: This is a retrospective, noncomparative review of 200 consecutive cases at Eye department Mayo Hospital Lahore between December 2004 and December 2010. The main outcome measures were patients previous treatments,
clinical presentation, operative and postoperative complications,
postoperative follow-up and resolution of epiphora.

Results:
200 patients with ages between 2 and 4 years underwent closed intubation for nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). In all cases, there was a history of epiphora and chronic dacryocystitis with or without a mucocele. Previous procedures included probing and irrigation in all cases twice or thrice. During a follow-up period of at least 3 months, the success rate was 86%.

Conclusion: Closed intubation with silicon tube is an effective treatment modality for children with ages between 2 and 4 years.