Three-snip punctoplasty versus perforated plugs for management of lacrimal punctal stenosis

A Major Review on Punctal Stenosis: Part II: Updated Therapeutic interventions, complications, and Outcomes

We continue our review of on punctal stenosis by providing a detailed discussion of management modalities, their complications, and outcomes. There is a significant change in the understanding of punctal and peripunctal anatomy, puncto-canalicular junction, and the lacrimal pump mechanisms. While the snip punctoplasty procedures are still practiced, there is an increasing trend toward nonincisional procedures. The nonincisional procedures in select cases appear to be equally effective as the incisional ones. Although simple to use, punctal plugs never became the mainstay of treatment because of design issues and the inability to address the coexisting canalicular stenosis. Placing stents only in the lower punctum in cases of upper and lower punctal stenosis should be discouraged, and management needs to address punctal stenosis and not which punctum is involved. Several types of stents are used in the management of punctal stenosis, mostly based on surgeon's preference. The benefits of adjuvant mitomycin C are uncertain. In view of literature on how stent biofilms can themselves cause chronic inflammation, placing them for prolonged periods should be reviewed and debated. Enhanced understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of punctal stenosis and addressing the current controversies in management would help standardize the therapeutic interventions available in the lacrimal armamentarium.

A major review of punctal stenosis: Updated anatomy, epidemiology, etiology, and clinical presentation

We aim to provide a detailed and updated literature review on the epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentations, histopathology, and ultrastructural features of punctal stenosis. There are inconsistencies in the definition and staging of punctal stenosis. While advanced optical coherence tomography imaging techniques have revolutionized the way the punctum and vertical canaliculi are assessed or monitored following treatment, the planes of measurement to characterize punctum anatomy need to evolve further. The current criteria for diagnosing and grading punctal stenosis are inadequate and based on empirical clinical findings. There is increasing evidence of the role of lymphocytes and myofibroblasts in the pathogenesis of punctal stenosis. There is a need for a uniform assessment of punctal stenosis and a uniform reporting of severity that would help standardize the several management options available in the lacrimal armamentarium.

An effective approach for the treatment of severe punctal stenosis: Bicanalicular silicone tube intubation with pigtail probe

PURPOSE

To evaluate the results of using a pigtail probe to open the inferior punctum followed by bicanalicular silicone tube intubation in patients with severe acquired punctal stenosis.

METHODS

Forty-one eyes of 25 patients with severe inferior punctal stenosis admitted to our tertiary care center were included in the study. The degree of epiphora was determined using the Munk score and the fluorescein disappearance test. The inferior punctum was located and opened by entering the superior punctum with a pigtail probe. Then, bicanalicular silicone tube intubation was performed. The silicone tube was removed after six months. A Munk score of 0 or 1 and a fluorescein disappearance test score of 1 and 2 were considered a complete success.

RESULTS

Ten (40%) patients were male, and 15 (60%) were female. The mean age was 60.4±15.5years. One year after the surgery, epiphora was absent in 18 eyes (43.9%) (Munk score grade 0) and rarely seen in 9 eyes (22%) (Munk score grade 1). At the one-year follow-up, the fluorescein disappearance test score was stage 1 (<3min) in 21 eyes (51.2%) and stage 2 (3-5min) in 13 eyes (31.7%). There was a statistically significant difference between the preoperative and one-year postoperative test results (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

In cases with severe punctal stenosis, a pigtail probe is an effective method for locating and opening the punctum, and punctal opening and prevention of restenosis were achieved by a bicanalicular stent.

Evaluation of implanted perforated lacrimal punctal plugs using anterior segment optical coherence tomography

Purpose

Evaluation of the patency and position of perforated lacrimal punctal plugs implanted for treating punctal stenosis together with quantitative assessment of the precorneal tear film using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).

Methods

In a prospective study, the lower punctum of 54 eyes of 29 patients implanted with perforated punctal plugs were examined using AS-OCT during the early postoperative period. Preoperative tear meniscus height (TMH) and tear meniscus area (TMA) were evaluated. Postoperatively, the patency of the plug, its position, TMH and TMA were evaluated, and the results were correlated with postoperative epiphora. Munk scale was used for epiphora grading.

Results

Using AS-OCT, 48 (88.9%) plugs were found in proper position while 6 (11.1%) were rotated. The lumen of the plugs was completely patent in 47 (87%) plugs, partially obstructed in 2 (3.7%) plugs and completely occluded in 5 (9.2%) plugs. There was a statistically significant postoperative decrease of TMH and TMA (P < 0.001) and postoperative epiphora Munk score (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

AS-OCT is a valuable, reliable, and noninvasive investigative tool that can detect the proper positioning, patency, and contents of the implanted perforated lacrimal punctal plugs in addition to measurement of TMH and TMA.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04624022, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04624022

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40662-021-00259-x.

The relationship between histopathological features and surgical success in primary acquired punctal stenosis

PURPOSE

To investigate the pathophysiology of punctal stenosis based on histopathological features, and to assess the correlation between histopathological findings and treatment outcomes in primary punctal stenosis.

METHODS

A total of 43 eyes of 34 consecutive patients with primary punctal stenosis were included in this prospective study. Punctum specimens obtained by rectangular three-snip punctoplasty (TSP) were examined based on the multilayered structure of the epithelium and subepithelial histopathology. The correlation between the histopathological findings and treatment outcomes was evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 61.8% of the patients were female and had an average age of 62.4 (41-81) years. Based on the histopathological examination, all 43 puncta consisted of non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelia. Subepithelial pathology demonstrated inflammation in 10 puncta (23.3%), fibrosis in 19 puncta (44.2%) and both inflammation and fibrosis in 11 puncta (25.6%). There was a moderate relationship between the presence of subepithelial fibrosis and symptom duration (r = 0.4, p = 0.03). The surgical success was 88.4% at the mean of 12.4 ± 3.5 months follow-up. The surgical success was clinically lower in the puncta with exhibited fibrosis, although it was not statistically significant (p = 0.6).

CONCLUSION

Although the findings for almost all punctum specimens were consistent with fibrosis, inflammation or both, subepithelial fibrosis was detected as the most common histopathological feature. Clinically lower surgical success rates in puncta exhibiting fibrosis may be associated with a longer duration of symptoms and excessive postoperative healing response.

Rectangular 3-snip punctoplasty versus punch punctoplasty with silicone intubation for acquired external punctal stenosis: a prospective randomized comparative study

AIM

To evaluate the effectiveness of rectangular 3-snip punctoplasty versus punch punctoplasty via Kelly punch with silicone intubation for the management of acquired external punctal stenosis (AEPS).

METHODS

A prospective, randomized, comparative study was performed on 123 eyes of 94 patients with AEPS. Patients were recruited into either group of rectangular 3-snip punctoplasty (group A) or group of punch punctoplasty with silicone intubation (group B). Outcomes measured were Munk score, grade of punctal stenosis, fluorescein dye disappearance time test (FDDT) and tear meniscus height (TMH) 6 and 12mo after surgery.

RESULTS

Twelve months after surgery, Munk score, FDDT and TMH significantly decreased in both groups compared with the baseline (all P<0.05), and grade of punctal stenosis increased significantly (P<0.05). The grade of punctal stenosis, Munk score, FDDT and TMH were better in group B compared with group A at 6 or 12mo (all P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between TMH and Munk score (R=0.655, P<0.001). At the last followed-up, anatomical success was noted in 96.7% eyes in group A and 98.4% eyes in group B (P=0.613).

CONCLUSION

Punch punctoplasty via Kelly punch with silicone intubation achieves better outcomes than rectangular 3-snip punctoplasty. The new technique is a simple, minimally invasive, with high anatomical and functional success in patients with AEPS.