Dacryocystoplasty: treatment of epiphora by means of balloon dilation of the obstructed nasolacrimal duct system.

PURPOSE

To evaluate treatment of epiphora due to acquired stenotic obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct system with dacryocystoplasty (DCP), in which balloon dilation is used to alleviate the obstruction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty patients (21 eyes) with epiphora due to obstructing lesions at the saccular or subsaccular level were treated with DCP. The authors used a catheter with a balloon diameter of only 3 mm to prevent damage to the nasolacrimal duct system and a nontraumatizing guide wire. Stent placement was not considered necessary. Follow-up ranged from 14 to 70 weeks.

RESULTS

Cannulation was not possible in one case of complete obstruction. DCP was successfully performed in the other 20 cases. In 18 of these cases (90%), results comparable with those of dacryocystorhinostomy were achieved. No side effects were observed.

CONCLUSION

DCP is potentially the treatment of choice for epiphora due to acquired stenotic obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct system.