Prospective, randomised clinical trial on the necessity of using a silicone intubarium in the context of a dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in patients with postsaccal lacrimal duct stenosis

Background Endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EN-DCR) is considered the gold standard for the treatment of (post-) saccal nasolacrimal duct (TNW) stenosis. This clinical prospective trial investigated the impact of silicone stents (SST) on EN-DCR success rates.

Methods After study inclusion and randomisation, Patients were assigned to EN-DCR with or without SST for 3 months. EN-DCRs were performed according to standardised techniques. Follow-up measurements took place one day, 12 weeks and 24 weeks after surgery. Outcomes were compared to determine statistical differences. Surgical success was defined by the ability to nasolacrimal duct irrigation (anatomical success) and improvement in clinical symptoms (functional success).

Results A total of 56 cases completed the 24-week follow-up period. 1 patient dropped out due to malignant genesis of the TNW stenosis. There were no statistically significant differences in functional (p >.10, especially epiphora) or anatomical success parameters (p >.16). The comparison of changes over time also showed no significant values (p >.28).

Conclusions This study showed no statistically significant benefit or disadvantage of SST insertion in DCR surgery.

Keywords  DCR, silicone stents, TNW stenosis, irrigation, epiphora.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 May 2023