Dilation probing as primary treatment for XXXX .

@entity1 @entity384 @entity1157 @entity1448 @entity1467
PURPOSE: Recent studies have suggested that simple nasolacrimal duct (NLD) probing can be an effective primary surgery for congenital NLD obstruction regardless of age. The success of @entity384 after failed NLD probing suggests that maximally enlarging the passage through the NLD system may enhance the success of simple NLD probing. This study used sequential probing with modified, taper-tip probes to evaluate whether maximally enlarging the nasolacrimal duct can effectively treat @entity1448 in all age groups. METHODS: Under general anesthesia, each obstructed NLD system was sequentially probed with larger diameter NLD probes until firm resistance prevented the passage of any larger probe size. Successful treatment was defined as a negative dye-disappearance test 2 weeks after probing and the absence of tearing symptoms at last contact. RESULTS: A retrospective chart review identified 40 @entity1 ages 6 to 32 months (average, 17.7 months) who underwent the sequential probing procedure. Sequential NLD probing was successful in 66 (92%) of 72 eyes. Of the failures, both eyes in a 15-month-old @entity1 with @entity1467 had tight, @entity1157 . In the remaining 4 eyes, 2 had resolution of symptoms but partially positive dye-disappearance tests, and 2 underwent successful repeat sequential NLD probing. Subdividing by age, 27 (100%) of 27 obstructed NLD systems were treated successfully in @entity1 older than 18 months compared with 39 (87%) of 45 in younger @entity1 . CONCLUSIONS: Sequential NLD probing to maximally enlarge the NLD system has a high rate of success in all @entity1 . Age does not appear to have an impact on success of probing.
