Complete obstruction of the nasolacrimal system. Part II. Treatment with expandable metallic stents.

To evaluate the clinical usefulness of expandable metallic stents for maintenance of the dilated nasolacrimal sac and duct, double stents were implanted under fluoroscopic guidance in seven patients with severe epiphora after failed balloon dacryocystoplasty. Stents were constructed of 0.25-mm stainless steel wire in a cylindrical zigzag configuration of 10 bends. A single stent was 4 mm in diameter when fully expanded and 10 mm long. The stent was placed accurately in all but one patient, in whom a second stent was placed accurately after removal of the dislodged stent with a hemostat under endoscopic guidance. After stent placement, all patients demonstrated complete resolution of epiphora. During follow-up of 4-20 weeks, complete blockage of the stent occurred in one patient. This was treated with intrastent balloon dacryocystoplasty. No stents migrated. Although the long-term validity of this treatment has not been proved, expandable metallic stents seem to be of value in the treatment of complete obstruction of the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct.