The Lacrimal Bypass Tube for Lacrimal Pump Failure Attributable to Facial Palsy

Purpose

To describe the use of a lacrimal bypass tube in the management of epiphora in patients with epiphora attributable to lacrimal pump failure in facial palsy.

Design

Multicenter retrospective interventional study.

Methods

Information regarding patient demographics, diagnoses, symptoms, oculoplastic interventions, dacryocystorhinostomy, and Jones tube insertion were collected from patient charts.

Results

Eighteen patients were identified, in all of whom epiphora was clinically and/or radiologically assessed as being attributable to pump failure, lid laxity having been corrected. All had constant epiphora prior to Jones tube insertion. Dacryocystorhinostomy was performed in all; insertion of a Jones tube was performed simultaneously in 12, with delayed insertion in 6. Patients' subjective epiphora improved postoperatively in 15 of 18 (83.3%) and at final median follow-up of 27.5 months (range, 6 months to 31 years); symptoms were improved in 13 of 18 (72.2%). Complications occurred in 13 of 18 (72.2%), including tube extrusion and the need for repositioning.

Conclusions

In this highly selected group of patients, Jones tube insertion led to symptom improvement in 83.3% postoperatively and in 72.2% at median follow-up of 27.5 months. Tube extrusion and migration were common, although such complications were not unexpected and were treatable.