Conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy with the frosted jones pyrex tube

Abstract

Purpose: To report the results of conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy with primary placement of a frosted Jones Pyrex tube in the treatment of epiphora from upper lacrimal dysfunction.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who had undergone conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy with primary placement of a frosted Jones Pyrex tube performed by a single surgeon (R.A.D.). All patients with at least 6 months of follow-up were included in the study. Efficacy was judged by patient report of resolution of tearing and charts were reviewed for complications.

Results: Five conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy procedures were performed with primary placement of a frosted Jones Pyrex tube. Four of the surgeries were performed for a diagnosis of flaccid canaliculi and one for a congenital upper lacrimal obstruction that had been unsuccessfully treated with previous surgery at another institution. Three of the surgeries were performed with an endoscopic approach and 2 were performed with an external approach. Follow-up ranged from 29 to 34 weeks (mean, 31.2 weeks). All patients reported complete resolution of tearing and no complications were noted, including no evidence of tube migration or extrusion.

Conclusions: Primary placement of frosted Jones Pyrex tubes in patients undergoing conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy seems to retain the efficacy of a standard Jones Pyrex tube while reducing the likelihood of tube extrusion, which is the main complication of this surgery.