Punctoplasty using Cut Down Tube

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We introduce a new surgical procedure for punctal stenosis, which is to insert a soft and thin cut-down tube, commonly used in general surgery. METHODS: After two snip operation, we inserted cut-down tube into canaliculus through incised punctum. We cut the tube for not touching to the cornea and buried in incision site. At postoperative 1 day, we asked patients their uncomfortness and examined ocular state with slit lamp. And then we removed the tube 4 days later. At postoperative 2 month, we evaluated whether epiphora improved or not and estimated the size of dialted punctum with caliper. Dye disappearance test and lacrimal irrigation test were also performed. RESULTS: Of 11 patients, 8 patients had no epiphora. Average diameter of dilated punctum was 1.77 +/- 0.20mm. In all patients, we found dilated punctum more than 1mm and confirmed patency by lacrimal irrigation test. 8 patients did not feel uncomfortness, and 3 patients felt a little uncomfortness. But no one felt severe discomfort. Although we found corneal erosion and conjunctival injection in 2 patients, they recovered in a few days. CONCLUSIONS: By this procedure, we reduced patient's hospital visit and pain resulting from postoperative care. And we observed well dilated punctum after the procedure. Therefore, punctoplasty using cut down tube is useful procedure for punctal stenosis, especially for recurrent stenosis after snip operation.