Comparison of the efficacy of laser lacryocystoplasty combined with antegrade implantation of RS-type lacrimal duct stents and retrograde implantation of balloon-typle lacrimal duct stents to treat lacrimal duct obstruction

ObjectiveTo compare the therapeutic effect of a combination of laser lacryocystoplasty and two different implantation of lacrimal duct stents to treat lacrimal duct obstruction. MethodsA total of 220 patients (220 eyes) with lacrimal duct obstruction underwent laser lacryocystoplasty combined with lacrimal duct stent implantation. Based on the stents implanted, the patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group A (115 eyes) was retrogradely implanted with balloon-type lacrimal duct stents, while Group B (105 eyes) was antegradely implanted with RS-type lacrimal duct stents. All the patients were followed-up over 6 months after operation. The clinical efficacy and complications were analyzed. ResultsGroup B showed remarkably higher cure rates than Group A in the treatment of inferior lacrimal canaliculus and common canaliculus obstruction (83.33% vs. 34.14%, P<0.05). Group B showed a marked higher cure rate than Group A in the treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction (81.33% vs. 64.10%, P<0.05). Group A reported two cases of serious bleeding during surgery, three cases of stent shifting and seven cases of inadequate drainage. In contrast, Group B reported two cases of hypersensitivity in the lacrimal punctum and four cases of subcutaneous poroma. Statistical difference was found as to total complication incidence between Group A and Group B (17.39% vs. 5.71%, P<0.01). ConclusionLaser lacryocystoplasty combined with antegrade implantation of RS-type lacrimal duct stents is an effective approach, with little complications.