Shaji Ankan, Sunil Maruthivila Sudhakaran
BACKGROUND Nasolacrimal duct obstruction will lead onto dacryocystitis. This may occur in neonates and children and also. In adults it usually has a chronic course which may end in procedures like Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). These procedures have significant failure rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS With the advent of bio-inert silicone material, silicone intubation is gaining popularity as an alternative, minimally invasive procedure in the treatment of acquired NLD obstruction. This prospective case study analyses the effectiveness of silicone intubation in adults with nasolacrimal duct obstruction and in children with failed probing or presenting late. RESULTS Silicone tube intubation is a simple, safe, minimally invasive and effective alternative to traditional external DCR in the surgical management of nasolacrimal duct obstruction in adults. The procedure is ideal for children with failed probing and in those presenting with dacryocystitis in late childhood. CONCLUSION Silicone tube intubation is a simple, safe, minimally invasive and effective alternative to traditional external DCR in the surgical management of nasolacrimal duct obstruction in adults.
