Direct silicone intubation using Nunchaku-style tube (NST-DSI) to treat lacrimal passage obstruction

PURPOSE: To confirm the usefulness of direct silicone intubation using a Nunchaku-style tube (NST-DSI) for the treatment of lacrimal passage obstruction. METHODS: Included in this retrospective study were 54 cases (45 patients) of adult-onset lacrimal passage obstruction on which NST-DSI was performed. The cases were subdivided into two groups: 29 cases of common canalicular obstruction (the canalicular obstruction group) and 25 cases of nasolacrimal duct obstruction (the duct obstruction group). RESULTS: At the final examination, irrigating fluid passed readily through the lacrimal passage in 39 (72.2%) of the 54 cases. Twenty-two cases (75.9%) were successful in the canalicular obstruction group (29 cases) whereas 17 cases (68.0%) were successful in the duct obstruction group (25 cases). CONCLUSION: NST-DSI is an effective alternative to treat both common canalicular obstruction and nasolacrimal duct obstruction. We regard NST-DSI as the first choice for the treatment of lacrimal passage obstruction.