Assessment of Lacrijet monocanalicular intubation for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Purpose: To assess the success rate and complications of Lacrijet monocanalicular stent (FCI S.A.S, Paris, France) intubation in children treated for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO).

Methods: Retrospective review study which included children with CNLDO that were intubated with Lacrijet monocanalucilar silicone tube.The Lacrijet tube remained in place for 11-15 weeks post operatively and was removed in the clinic with topical anesthesia. Operative time was recorded for each case. All children were evaluated using the following parameters preoperatively and postoperatively: tear meniscus height, Fluorescein dye disappearance test (FDDT), and MUNK score.

Results: The study included 20 eyes with mean age of 26.25 ± 11.25 months. 17 eyes (85%) had undergone probing previously. Mean operation time of Lacrijet intubation was 8.5 min (95% CI 7.04-9.95). Mean follow-up period was 204.65 ± 105.27 days. Lacrijet intubation resulted in statistically significant improvements in tear meniscus height ( < .001), FDDT ( < 0.001), and MUNK score ( < 0.001) in all children. Two different sizes of Lacrijet intubations were used. Complete success was obtained in all cases. No complications were observed.

Conclusions: Lacrijet lacrimal intubation has a high rate of success, shortens surgical time and has a low rate of complications in children with CNLDO.