To investigate the surgical results of early silicone tube displacement in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

A total of 40 eyes from 27 children who received silicone tube intubation with sequential probing under intranasal endoscopic guidance were enrolled in this retrospective study. The silicone tube was intended to be removed after 3 months, and was defined as early displacement if the tube was removed within 2/3 of the planned tube retention time. Success was defined as the absence of persistent epiphora for at least a 1-year follow-up period. Using Fisher's exact test, the success rate of patients with and without early tube displacement was compared for a statistical difference.

Overall, 95% (38/40) of eyes were treated successfully; they were not affected by early tube displacement ( p =0.154). Early displacement occurred in 40% (16/40) of eyes: 12% (2) within 7 days, 44% (7) within 8–14 days, 19% (3) within 15–30 days, and 25% (4) after 31 days.

In congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction, early silicone tube displacement did not affect the clinical outcome of silicone tube intubation. Therefore, endoscopic-guided silicone tube intubation with sequential probing may provide a high functional success rate although early tube displacement occurs in young children.