[A monocanalicular stent with self-stabilizing meatic fixation in surgery of excretory lacrimal ducts. Initial results].
Our experience of 49 cases with a new monocanalicular silicone stent is described. This is a stent with a "auto-stable" meatic plug which respects the canalicular anatomy. There is no stopping-knot, no palpebral ring as in the bicanaliculo-nasal-intubation. The risk of accidental exteriorization is less important, the risk of stricturotomy is absent. Two types of intubation can be used: monocanaliculo-nasal intubation: the way of putting it in place is the same as the bicanaliculo-nasal one, with a metallic probe. The range of it's use widdens from distal canalicular wounds (2 cases) to common canalicular stenosis (15 cases) and to lacrimo-nasal imperforations (12 cases). In the two last instances, the intubation is made through the superior canaliculus, so that the inferior one is left free. In 13 cases, an intubation was made bilaterally for the same disorder, and a comparison could be done between monocanalicular and bicanalicular intubation. The true monocanalicular intubation, for proximal injuries: grasping the metallic probe inside the nose is no longer necessary. The length of the silicone probe is adaptated intra-operatively. The functional results of monocanalicular intubation are comparable to the results of bicanalicular intubation, especially for monocanalicular injuries (in addition with canalicular sutures) and the lacrimo-nasal imperforation. Incidents were observed especially with the first patients; a strict method is mandatory for avoiding accidents. The use of monocanalicular intubation should be used only for short duration and monocanalicular disorders. In other cases, bicanalicular intubation remains the good choice.