Results of STENTube for lacrimal intubation
Reviewed by Jaya Myneni

The STENTube is designed with a varied diameter – a thin central segment with a diameter of 0.86mm and distal tube segments with larger 1.3mm diameter. The thin central segment is exposed at the medial canthus. The distal tubes tamponade against walls of canaliculi and therefore eliminate the need for endonasal fixation. This article summarises the results of lacrimal intubation using STENTube. This is a retrospective non-randomised, non-comparative case series of 339 patients. Epiphora improvement was noticed in 92% and completely resolved in 87% of patients. Complications were reported in 8% of patients with tube prolapse (in 5%) being the commonest. Mean duration for tube prolapse was four weeks. Reoperation for non-resolution was needed in 5% of patients. This study reports that STENTube has good surgical outcomes, low complication rates and similar safety profile to traditional intubation methods. The authors describe that the design of STENTube reduces the surgical time and costs associated with endonasal fixation. The large diameter segment is supposed to allow development of a larger internal epithelial lined ostium. Removal of the tube is also simple, by a forceps extraction at medial canthus. The authors prefer STENTube for lacrimal intubation as they find this technique to be quick, economical, effective and easier than traditional intubation methods. A comparative study looking into the surgical time, cost-effectiveness and efficiency of different types of stents will be useful. 

Lacrimal intubation during dacryocystorhinostomy utlizing the STENTube.
Shinder R, Wu A, Mehendale RA, et al.
ORBIT
2017;36(1):6-12.