Pigtail with self-retaining bicanalicular intubation combined with Mitomycin C for the treatment of acquired lower punctal stenosis.

BACKGROUND: The pigtail was used to create an opening at the lower punctal site in grade 0 stenosis with insertion of self-retaining tube and Mitomycin C (MMC). METHODS: The patients with acquired lower punctal stenosis (grade 0) were divided randomly into equal groups, Group A: were treated with pigtail and MMC 0.02% and Group B: were treated with pigtail alone. The pigtail was inserted through the upper punctum until its tip reached the occluded punctum, this site was incised with a scalpel (No. 11). A self-retaining bicanalicular tube was then placed. RESULTS: Results of 36 eyes from 26 patients were included. No differences were observed between both groups regarding epiphora score, FDD test and punctal size preoperatively. The postoperative epiphora score, there were significant differences at 1 month (P = 0.035), 3 months (P = 0.005), and 6 months after removal (P < 0.001). The FDD test, there were significant differences at 6 months (P = 0.045), 1 month (P = 0.021), 3 months (P = 0.012), and 6 months post tube removal (P = 0.005). The punctal size, both groups differed at 1 month (P = 0.045), 3 months (P = 0.03), and 6 months post tube removal (P = 0.005). Only one case (5.5%) at each group showed extrusion of the tube. CONCLUSION: The pigtail probe, bicanalicular stent and MMC can be an effective method in treatment of severe punctal stenosis.

The relationship between histopathological features and surgical success in primary acquired punctal stenosis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the pathophysiology of punctal stenosis based on histopathological features, and to assess the correlation between histopathological findings and treatment outcomes in primary punctal stenosis. METHODS: A total of 43 eyes of 34 consecutive patients with primary punctal stenosis were included in this prospective study. Punctum specimens obtained by rectangular three-snip punctoplasty (TSP) were examined based on the multilayered structure of the epithelium and subepithelial histopathology. The correlation between the histopathological findings and treatment outcomes was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 61.8% of the patients were female and had an average age of 62.4 (41-81) years. Based on the histopathological examination, all 43 puncta consisted of non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelia. Subepithelial pathology demonstrated inflammation in 10 puncta (23.3%), fibrosis in 19 puncta (44.2%) and both inflammation and fibrosis in 11 puncta (25.6%). There was a moderate relationship between the presence of subepithelial fibrosis and symptom duration (r = 0.4, p = 0.03). The surgical success was 88.4% at the mean of 12.4 ± 3.5 months follow-up. The surgical success was clinically lower in the puncta with exhibited fibrosis, although it was not statistically significant (p = 0.6). CONCLUSION: Although the findings for almost all punctum specimens were consistent with fibrosis, inflammation or both, subepithelial fibrosis was detected as the most common histopathological feature. Clinically lower surgical success rates in puncta exhibiting fibrosis may be associated with a longer duration of symptoms and excessive postoperative healing response.

Puntoplastia en dos cortes modificada en estenosis de puntos y canalículos lagrimales inferiores / Modified two-snip punctoplasty for stenosis of inferior lacrimal points and canaliculi

RESUMEN Objetivo: Determinar los resultados alcanzados con la utilización de la puntoplastia en dos cortes modificada en el manejo de los pacientes con estenosis de los puntos y canalículos lagrimales inferiores. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo de una serie de casos, en el Hospital Universitario Clínico Quirúrgico "Comandante Manuel Fajardo", desde enero del año 2016 a diciembre de 2018. La muestra quedó conformada por 22 pacientes (38 ojos), sometidos a la técnica quirúrgica, y fue caracterizada de acuerdo con la edad, el sexo, el color de la piel, la bilateralidad, la localización anatómica de la obstrucción, los antecedentes patológicos personales, las complicaciones y la evaluación funcional final. Resultados: De un total de 22 pacientes, 17 estuvieron entre las edades de 60 y 79 años, el 72,7 por ciento del sexo femenino y el 86,4 por ciento con piel de color blanco. La blefaritis fue el principal antecedente oftalmológico encontrado (18,2 por ciento), la obstrucción fue bilateral en el 72,7 por ciento de los casos, y fundamentalmente a nivel del punto lagrimal (16 casos). El 86,8 por ciento no mostró complicaciones posoperatorias; 3 casos presentaron extrusión del tutor de silicona, los cuales estuvieron en relación con el fallo en el resultado final. En el 92,1 por ciento se constató el éxito de la cirugía. Conclusiones: La estenosis de la vía lagrimal se produce principalmente en mujeres, de raza blanca, mayores de 60 años y sin antecedentes patológicos referidos. La afectación es más frecuente a nivel del punto lagrimal. Con la técnica quirúrgica se logra un resultado excelente y con complicaciones mínimas(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective: Determine the results achieved by modified two-snip punctoplasty in the management of patients with stenosis of inferior lacrimal points and canaliculi. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted of a case series at Comandante Manuel Fajardo Clinical Surgical University Hospital from January 2016 to December 2018. The sample was 22 patients (38 eyes) undergoing the surgical technique. The variables studied were age, sex, skin color, bilaterality, anatomical location of the obstruction, personal pathological antecedents, complications and final functional evaluation. Results: Of the total 22 patients, 17 were in the 60-79 years age group, 72.7 percent were female and 86.4 percent were white. Blepharitis was the main ophthalmological antecedent (18.2 percent). Obstruction was bilateral in 72.7 percent of the cases, fundamentally at the lacrimal punctum (16 cases). 86.8 percent did not have any postoperative complication, whereas 3 presented extrusion of the silicone tutor. These were related to failure in the final result. Surgery was successful in 92.1 percent of the cases. Conclusions: Lacrimal duct stenosis prevails in white skin women aged over 60 years without reported pathological antecedents. The disorder is more common at the lacrimal punctum. The surgical technique used achieves excellent results with minimum complications(AU)