Treatment of acute dacryocystitis by translacrimal canalicular drainage and D-silicone intubation

Aim: To demonstrate the outcomes of translacrimal canalicular drainage using a lacrimal probe and intranasal drainage by D-silicone intubation for acute dacryocystitis (AD).

Methods: This retrospective study included 23 patients with AD and had undergone abscess decompression with the use of lacrimal probe and intranasal drainage by D-silicone intubation between January 2019 and December 2022. Patients received abscess decompression and systemic antibiotic-corticosteroid from the time of diagnosis. D-silicone tube was inserted within 10d after diagnosis and removed 3-6mo after intubation. The procedure and outcomes of this method were evaluated.

Results: All patients showed improvement of signs and symptoms of AD within 72h. No intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed. No recurrence of lacrimal sac abscesses occurred after D-silicone tube removed.

Conclusion: Lacrimal probe and D-silicone intubation appear to be a feasible, minimally invasive, safe, and effective method, which could be a reasonable choice in the treatment of AD.