Clinical and scintigraphic comparison of silicone and polyvinylpyrrolidone coated silicone perforated plugs

• Published in: British journal of ophthalmology Vol. 82; no. 12; pp. 1416 - 1419
• Main Authors: Malet, Th, Challier, B, David, N, Bertrand, A, George, J-L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JR BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01-12-1998; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Aqueous solutions; Biological and medical sciences; Drainage - instrumentation; epiphora; Humans; Laboratories; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases - therapy; Lacrimal Duct Obstruction - diagnostic imaging; Lacrimal Duct Obstruction - therapy; Medical sciences; Original articles - Clinical science; Patients; perforated punctum plug; Physiology; Povidone - therapeutic use; Prospective Studies; Prostheses; Prostheses and Implants; punctum stenosis; Radionuclide Imaging; Silicone Elastomers - therapeutic use; Single-Blind Method; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the eye and orbit; Treatment Outcome; France; Human; Prosthesis; Stenosis; Lacrimal apparatus disease; Treatment; Equipment; Dilatation; Opening; Lacrimal point; Surgery; Polyvinyl derivative; Biomaterial; Technique; Siloxane polymer; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0007-1161; 1468-2079
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.82.12.1416

BACKGROUND/AIM Isolated stenosis of the lacrimal punctum is a frequent cause of epiphora. Treatment relies on surgical opening or dilatation with bi- or monocanalicular prosthesis. Recently, silicone perforated punctum plugs (PPP) were proposed. The drawback with these silicone PPP was that secretions accumulate in the central orifice blocking the spontaneous flow of tears. A modification of the surface of the PPP using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was thus proposed. The aim was to compare silicone PPP with new PVP surface treated PPP. METHODS A prospective study was conducted of 20 patients with dilatable stenosis of the lacrimal puncta who developed epiphora. Epiphora, tolerance, implantation of the PPP, and lacrimal drainage were evaluated using scintigraphy of the lacrimal ducts. RESULTS The raw data and statistical analysis showed evidence of a superior performance of PVP surface treated PPP. CONCLUSION Long term evaluation of the advantages or risks of PVP plugs and comparison with microsurgical punctoplasty are warranted.