To compare the dacryocystographic results before and after silicone tube intubation in partial nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Dacryocystography was performed on 33 eyes of 17 patients diagnosed with partial nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The anteroposterior (AP) diameters and the mediolateral diameters of the nasolacrimal ducts intubated at the operation were measured by dacryocystography, before the operation and after silicone tube removal.

The mean AP, mediolateral diameter and length of nasolacrimal duct in the group who demonstrated improvement after the operation was 2.32 mm, 1.39 mm, and 17.14 mm before the operation, and 2.40 mm, 1.77 mm, and 17.38 mm after the operation, respectively. The mean AP, mediolateral diameter and length of nasolacrimal duct in the group who demonstrated no symptomatic improvement was 2.06 mm, 1.28 mm, and 17.42 mm before the operation, and 2.75 mm, 1.99 mm, and 18.03 mm after the operation, respectively. The alteration of the nasolacrimal duct size in the group with successful postoperative results compared with unsuccessful postoperative results showed no significant difference.

The nasolacrimal duct showed expansion in size based on dacryocystographic results after silicone tube intubation in partial nasolacrimal duct obstruction. However, the operation results and the alteration of the nasolacrimal duct size based on dacryocystographic results demonstrated no accordance.