To evaluate the influence of a silicone tube on tear drainage in patients with a healed rhinostomy site after dacryocystorhinostomy.

The subjects of the present study included the patients for whom the removal of a silicone tube was performed after dacryocystorhinostomy for acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The silicone tube was removed after the rhinostomy site was completely healed. The tear drainage function was evaluated using the fluorescein dye disappearance test at the following 3 time points: immediately before, immediately after, and 1 month after silicone tube removal. In addition, a Schirmer test was performed and tear break-up time was measured at each time point. To study the correlation between the measured values and subjective tearing symptoms, self-report questionnaires were given to each patient at his/her last visit.

The 3 measured values showed no statistical difference between the 3 time points, immediately before, immediately after, and 1 month after silicone tube removal. When the patients were divided into groups according to their subjective symptomatic changes after silicone tube removal, no group showed statistically significant difference in the 3 measured values before, between, and after silicone tube removal.

In patients with a healed rhinostomy site after dacryocystorhinostomy, the removal of the silicone tube did not induce a change of tear drainage function. Therefore, based on the results from the present study, a silicone tube may not have influence on tear drainage functions.