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Pigtail with self-retaining bicanalicular intubation combined with Mitomycin C for the treatment of acquired lower punctal stenosis

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Abstract

Background

The pigtail was used to create an opening at the lower punctal site in grade 0 stenosis with insertion of self-retaining tube and Mitomycin C (MMC).

Methods

The patients with acquired lower punctal stenosis (grade 0) were divided randomly into equal groups, Group A: were treated with pigtail and MMC 0.02% and Group B: were treated with pigtail alone. The pigtail was inserted through the upper punctum until its tip reached the occluded punctum, this site was incised with a scalpel (No. 11). A self-retaining bicanalicular tube was then placed.

Results

Results of 36 eyes from 26 patients were included. No differences were observed between both groups regarding epiphora score, FDD test and punctal size preoperatively. The postoperative epiphora score, there were significant differences at 1 month (P = 0.035), 3 months (P = 0.005), and 6 months after removal (P < 0.001). The FDD test, there were significant differences at 6 months (P = 0.045), 1 month (P = 0.021), 3 months (P = 0.012), and 6 months post tube removal (P = 0.005). The punctal size, both groups differed at 1 month (P = 0.045), 3 months (P = 0.03), and 6 months post tube removal (P = 0.005). Only one case (5.5%) at each group showed extrusion of the tube.

Conclusion

The pigtail probe, bicanalicular stent and MMC can be an effective method in treatment of severe punctal stenosis.

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Data availability

Data available on request from the corresponding author Email: masalamah@zu.edu.eg

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The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors

Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Moustafa Abdullah Salamah, Ahmed N Kotb, Sherif Sharaf EL Deen, and Mohammed A. Hegab. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Mohammed A. Hegab and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Moustafa A. Salamah.

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All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Ethical approval

This research was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt (ZU-IRB#:9372-8-5-2022) and adhered to the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki as amended in 2013.

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A written informed consent demonstrating the surgical technique and possible complications was taken from every patient included in this study.

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Salamah, M.A., Kotb, A.N., El Deen, S.S. et al. Pigtail with self-retaining bicanalicular intubation combined with Mitomycin C for the treatment of acquired lower punctal stenosis. Int Ophthalmol 44, 224 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-024-03146-1

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