Purpose: To determine the efficacy of balloon catheter dilatation, with
or without silicone intubation for treatment of acquired epiphora.
Patients and Methods: We hod used aru3ioplas4j balloon catheter with
diameter 3 mm and length of the working segment 20 mm, in an antegrade
fashion guided by nasal endoscope. In twenty obstructed nasolacrimal
systems in 20 adult patients divided into 2 groups, group A includes
5 patients in whom, we do dilatation alone. Group B in whom
dilatation was followed by silicone intubation for 2 months. Follow up at
2 weeks,/, 2, 4 and 6 months postoperatively. Subjective success as well
as objertine success by Jones If test was recorded
Results: For group A, there was initial surnoss followed by marked decline
to 20% after 6 month. For group B, there was success rate about
60% after 2 months increased to 66.6096 at 4 and 6 months postoperatively.
Conclusion: Balloon catheter dilatation with the aid of nasal endoscope
followed by silicone intubation may be good alternative to other
techniques for treatment of acquired epiphora.
Key words: Balloon catheter, lacrimal obstruction, epiphora, nasal endoscope. |
