Closed Dacryointubation vs Bicanalicular Intubation for Proximal Tear Duct Obstruction

Upper lacrimal duct obstruction (ULDO) or proximal lacrimal tract obstruction occurs when an occlusion is located in the lacrimal point, in superior and inferior canaliculi, or in the common canaliculus. When the ULDO is at the level of the canaliculi (superior, inferior or common), the alternatives available for its management are closed dacryointubation with Crowford catheter, conjunctivadacryocystorhinostomy, and bicanalicular intubation. Closed dacryointubation with Crowford tube is a technique effective in approximately 90% of children diagnosed with congenital occlusion of the lacrimal duct, however, in adults the reported surgical success rate is lower, approximately 70% according to different authors. The conjunctivadacryocystorhinostomy is the procedure proposed by many authors when there is point and canaliculi obstruction in which canalicular intubation cannot be performed due to atresia or total obstruction. The bicanaliculalr intubation with the Self-Stable Canalicular Intubation Set (FCI R), an FDA-approved silicone bicanalicular retention device, is especially indicated for the treatment of lacrimal point stenosis and horizontal canalicular obstruction. The aim of this study is to describe the difference in efficacy and complication rate between the application of the self-stable bicanalicular intubation set II (ICF) and closed dacryointubation in patients with ULDO