TY - JOUR T1 - Prospective randomised comparison of external dacryocystorhinostomy with and without silicone intubation JF - British Journal of Ophthalmology JO - Br J Ophthalmol SP - 1220 LP - 1222 DO - 10.1136/bjo.2008.147819 VL - 93 IS - 9 AU - R Saiju AU - L J Morse AU - D Weinberg AU - M K Shrestha AU - S Ruit Y1 - 2009/09/01 UR - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/93/9/1220.abstract N2 - Background/aims: The aim of the study was to compare surgical outcomes of external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with and without silastic intubation for treatment of primary uncomplicated nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO).Design: The study was a prospective randomised trial conducted at the Tilganga Eye Centre (Kathmandu, Nepal).Methods: One-hundred consecutive patients with uncomplicated primary NLDO were randomly assigned into two groups (44 underwent DCR with silastic intubation and 56 underwent DCR without intubation). Patients were re-assessed at 1 week, 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery. Success was defined objectively by irrigation of the puncta without regurgitation and subjectively by the absence of epiphora or discharge.Results: The success rate at 6 months was 90% for DCR with silastic intubation and 87% for DCR without silastic intubation. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (pā€Š=ā€Š0.77). No complications were encountered in either group. Silicone tubes increased surgical cost by 20% at the Tilganga Eye Centre.Conclusion: DCR without silastic intubation is less expensive than DCR with silastic intubation in primary uncomplicated NLDO, and has a similar success rate. DCR with silastic intubation may create increased burden for patients in the form of more post-surgical follow-up visits. In cases of uncomplicated primary NLDO, the use of silastic intubation in DCR may be unnecessary. ER -