Probing and syringing with 3% Solution of NaCl and/or 0.2 mg/ml Mitomycin-C in Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction Patients
Raveewan Choontanom MD*
Affiliation : To submit this paper as part of a MSc thesis at the Chulalongkorn University * Department of Ophthalmology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To compare the efficacy of lacrimal probing and syringing among 3% solution of Sodium Chloride and/or 0.2 mg/
ml Mitomycin-C as an adjunctive medication.
Results : A prospective, randomized, 2 by 2 factorial design study.
Material and Method: Forty-eight of nasolacrimal duct obstruction patients with epiphora symptom were randomly as-
signed to receive either Normal Saline Solution or 3% solution of Sodium Chloride or 0.2 mg/ml Mitomycin-C solution or
combined 3% solution of Sodium Chloride with 0.2 mg/ml Mitomycin-C solution, during office probing and syringing. The
intervention was performed repeatedly at week 0, weeks 2 and 4. An assessment of epiphora with Visual Analogue Scale were
evaluated at week 0, weeks 2, 4, 8 and 12.
Results : Probing and syringing was successfully reducing epiphora symptom. Mitomycin-C group showed a significant
reduction in mean difference of Visual Analogue Scale score compared with Normal Saline Solution group (2.85, 95% CI:
1.164-4.536, p < 0.001) and 3% Sodium Chloride group (2.175, 95% CI: 0.489-3.861, p < 0.01). No complication or
adverse event was found.
Conclusion : 0.2 mg/ml Mitomycin-C solution of was the most effective medication for office probing and syringing in
reducing epiphora symptom in nasolacrimal duct obstruction patients.
Keywords : Nasolacrimal duct obstruction, Probing, Syringing, NaCl 3%, Mitomycin-C
