Korean J Ophthalmol.  2021 Jun;35(3):231-234. 10.3341/kjo.2021.0033.

Successful Reposition of Prolapsed Silicone Tube Using Hole and Lacrimal Probe Method

• Byun ZY
• Lee BR
• Kim SC

• KMID: 2516669
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2021.0033

Abstract

Purpose
Silicone tube intubation is the most common method for treatment of nasolacrimal drainage disorder or repair of lacerated canaliculus. However, some cases are prolapsed earlier than expected, subsequently affecting the success rate of silicone tube intubation. The author introduced a successful reposition of the prolapsed silicone tube.
Methods
This study is a retrospective case series of 11 patients who were treated with reposition of prolapsed silicone tube using hole and lacrimal probe method. In all cases, the tubes were prolapsed within 2 months after the first surgery due to careless rubbing of the medial canthus by the patient. In all 11 cases, the development of a biofilm on tube was not observed at the time when the tube was prolapsed. All patients underwent immediate reposition of prolapsed tube without local anesthesia in the outpatient operating room on the day they visited.
Results
In all 11 cases, the prolapsed silicone tube was repositioned without any complications using this hole and lacrimal probe method. At 6-month follow-up examination, all patients presented with a well-positioned silicone tube up to the day of extubation without replacing it with a new silicone tube.
Conclusions
This hole and lacrimal probe method is effective for the repositioning of prolapsed silicone tube after bicanalicular intubation of lacrimal system. This procedure includes easy performance in a short time and without local anesthesia in the outpatient operating room.

Keyword

Hole; Lacrimal probe; Prolapsed silicone tube