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. 2001 Oct;108(10):1835-7.
doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(01)00718-7.

Iatrogenic complications related to the use of Herrick Lacrimal Plugs

W L White  1 , G B Bartley, M J Hawes, J V Linberg, D B Leventer
Affiliations

Iatrogenic complications related to the use of Herrick Lacrimal Plugs

W L White et al. Ophthalmology. 2001 Oct.

Abstract

Purpose: To report a series of lacrimal complications associated with a specific type of lacrimal plug (Herrick Lacrimal Plug; Lacrimedics Incorporated, Rialto, CA.)

Design: Retrospective, noncomparative case series and survey.

Methods: Members of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery were asked to submit personally treated cases of patients referred for treatment of complications after placement of a Herrick Lacrimal Plug.

Main outcome measures: Failure of the device to be removed by simple lacrimal irrigation.

Results: The clinical courses of 41 patients were analyzed. Patients ranged in age from 19 to 81 years, and all had symptomatic epiphora related to the presence of the lacrimal plug. Several interventions were used to treat lacrimal obstruction. Nasolacrimal duct probing with irrigation was used in 15 lacrimal systems, whereas six systems were probed and subsequently stented with silicone tubing. Eyelid margin cutdown was used in eight cases. Balloon dacryoplasty was performed in three systems, dacryocystorhinostomy in 18 instances, and conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy in two patients.

Conclusions: The Herrick lacrimal occlusion device sometimes cannot be removed by simple irrigation and is capable of inducing permanent, irreversible, symptomatic lacrimal drainage system obstruction.

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Comment in

  • Complications of lacrimal plug implantation.
    Frankel J. Frankel J. Ophthalmology. 2003 Jan;110(1):3-4; author reply 4. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(02)01549-x. Ophthalmology. 2003. PMID: 12511330 No abstract available.
  • Complications of lacrimal plug implantation.
    Affeldt J, Byron H, Dubow B, Hunter K, McCall J, White C, Williams P, Yassin J. Affeldt J, et al. Ophthalmology. 2003 Jan;110(1):4-5; author reply 5-6. Ophthalmology. 2003. PMID: 12511331 No abstract available.

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