Balloon dilation of the nasolacrimal duct.

Purpose: Our purpose is to report our experience with balloon catheter dilation of the nasolacrimal duct after failed probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Methods: We undertook a retrospective chart review. Patients who were enrolled had symptoms of persistent nasolacrimal duct obstruction after simple probing and irrigation. Balloon nasolacrimal ductoplasty was performed using the LacriCATH system (Quest Medical, Inc. An Atrion Company, Allen, TX). Outcomes were determined by postoperative examination and telephone follow-up.

Results: Thirty-nine lacrimal systems of 26 patients (age range, 10 months to 84 months) were treated. Of the obstructed ducts treated, 82% (32/39) showed resolution of epiphora. There were 9 children older than the age of 2, with 15 nasolacrimal systems studied. These had 11 of 15 successes for a success rate of 73%. There were 17 children between the ages of 10 months and 2 years with 24 nasolacrimal systems studied. These had 21 of 24 successes for a success rate of approximately 88%. The difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.28).

Conclusion: Balloon dilation of the nasolacrimal duct is an alternative to silicone intubation in the treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction after failed simple probing. Although our success rate was slightly lower than some published reports of nasolacrimal system intubation, this simple and atraumatic procedure was successful in 82% of cases for this specific situation.