Repositioning a Prolapsed Tube After Bicanalicular Intubation of the Lacrimal System

Optimisation of reduction for prolapsed silicone tube after lacrimal intubation

BACKGROUND

A common complication of bicanalicular intubation is dislocation of the silicone tube.

METHODS

Eleven patients with prolapsed silicone tubes who had undergone bicanalicular nasal intubation were injected with a 2 per cent lidocaine solution to infiltrate the lacrimal duct mucosa. A memory wire probe was used to pull a 4-0 suture through the lacrimal passage retrogradely, allowing the suture to grab the silicone tube. Paraffin oil was applied to the contact part of the rope and the silicone tube, then the distal end of the silk thread was removed from the nostril until the tube was pulled into place.

RESULTS

The prolapsed silicone tubes were restored by surgery in nine patients, with the drainage tube in the correct position in the eye and the lacrimal duct irrigation unobstructed.

CONCLUSION

The optimisations made in this study are considered effective adjustments of reduction surgery for a prolapsed silicone tube.

Successful Reposition of Prolapsed Silicone Tube Using Hole and Lacrimal Probe Method

Purpose

Silicone tube intubation is the most common method for treatment of nasolacrimal drainage disorder or repair of lacerated canaliculus. However, some cases are prolapsed earlier than expected, subsequently affecting the success rate of silicone tube intubation. The author introduced a successful reposition of the prolapsed silicone tube.

Methods

This study is a retrospective case series of 11 patients who were treated with reposition of prolapsed silicone tube using hole and lacrimal probe method. In all cases, the tubes were prolapsed within 2 months after the first surgery due to careless rubbing of the medial canthus by the patient. In all 11 cases, the development of a biofilm on tube was not observed at the time when the tube was prolapsed. All patients underwent immediate reposition of prolapsed tube without local anesthesia in the outpatient operating room on the day they visited.

Results

In all 11 cases, the prolapsed silicone tube was repositioned without any complications using this hole and lacrimal probe method. At 6-month follow-up examination, all patients presented with a well-positioned silicone tube up to the day of extubation without replacing it with a new silicone tube.

Conclusions

This hole and lacrimal probe method is effective for the repositioning of prolapsed silicone tube after bicanalicular intubation of lacrimal system. This procedure includes easy performance in a short time and without local anesthesia in the outpatient operating room.

Comparison of Hasner valvulotomy outcomes in pediatric and adult patients: does age matter?

BACKGROUND

Hasner valve incision has been recently introduced as a new treatment for ophthalmic patients with epiphora symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine whether surgical outcomes of Hasner valve incision for inferior nasolacrimal duct obstruction were different between pediatric and adult patients.

METHODS

A total of 53 eyes of 52 patients who underwent Hasner valve incision in the Beijing Tongren Hospital from October 2016 to November 2019 were retrospectively observed. Patients were divided into two groups, including pediatric group (23 eyes of 22 patients, <18 years old) and adult group (30 eyes of 30 patients, ≥18 years old). Success rate of surgery was determined by both subjective measure (complete resolution of epiphora) and objective measure (lacrimal passage irrigation and tear meniscus height). Fisher exact test was conducted.

RESULTS

By conducting Fisher exact test and comparing complete resolution of epiphora (P = 0.627), lacrimal passage irrigation (P = 0.663), measurement of Tear Meniscus Height (P = 0.561), and appearance of complication (P = 0.339), there was no statistically significant difference of surgical outcomes between pediatric and adult patients (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Hasner valve incision was effective for both adult and children with inferior nasolacrimal duct obstruction, with no difference in surgical outcomes between the two groups.