The aim of the study was to compare the success rate of monocanalicular intubation versus bicanalicular silicone intubation in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children aged between 10 and 36 months.

In a prospective, nonrandomized comparative study, the monocanalicular intubations (MCI; n=35 eyes) through the inferior canaliculus or bicanalicular intubations (BCI; n=35 eyes) were performed under general anaeshesia in children between 10 and 36 months of age suffering from congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO). The tubes were removed 3-4 months after the tube placement. Thereafter, the children were followed up for 6 months after the removal of tubes. The therapeutic success was defined as the fluorescein dye disappearance test grade 0-1 corresponding with a complete resolution of previous symptoms. The partial success was defined as improvement with some residual symptoms.

The complete and partial improvement was achieved in 31/35(88.57%) in group I with BCI and in 34/35 (97.14%) in group II with MCI, respectively, and it was not significantly higher (p=0,584).

Complications occurred in both groups. Dislodgement of the tube and premature removal was observed in four cases in group I (BCI), the loss of the tube was observed twice in group II with MCI.. Canalicular slitting was observed in 5 eyes in the group with BCI. Granuloma pyogenicum observed in 2 cases with MCI revealed in a few weeks after the tube removal. Corneal erosion in the inferior medial quadrant was observed in 1 eye with MCI and revealed in a few days after the local treatment without tube removal.

Conclusions: Both MCI and the BCI are effective methods how to treat CNLDO. The advantage of the MCI shows the lower incidence of the canalicular slit and easy placement.

Inclusion Criteria:

• congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO)
• resistance to a conservative therapy and/or probing

Exclusion Criteria:

- children younger than 10 months of age