A Song's nasolacrimal duct
stent was placed in a patient with
epiphora due to primary
nasolacrimal duct obstruction and the
stent was kept for 32 months.
Mitomycin C 0.02%
eye drops four times a day were prescribed for four weeks following
polyurethane stent placement procedure. No
epiphora-related complaints occurred for thirty months after then the
epiphora started. Nasolacrimal
stent was removed from nasal cavity endoscopially and the tissues within the extruded
stent were examined histopathologically. The patient's complaints were relieved following
stent removal. Dacryocystogram revealed normal passage and a filling defect within the lacrimal sac. Macroscopic evaluation of the
stent revealed a firm mass in the
stent mushroom, causing complete obstruction. Pathological examination of the mass revealed chronic
inflammation, increased connective tissue and vascular proliferation. Nasolacrimal
polyurethane stents can be removed easily by nasal approach. Nasolacrimal passage may be left open temporarily after
stent removal. The use of
Mitomycin C drop is a novel approach in nasolacrimal
stent placement cases. However, when the long-term results of endoscopic and external
dacryocystorhinostomy are considered, further research is needed on the biocompatibility of
stent material.