A meta-analysis of primary dacryocystorhinostomy with and without silicone intubation.

Objective: To examine possible differences in success rates of primary dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with and without silicone intubation, and to find out whether the use of silicone tubes is beneficial.

Design: A literature search was conducted in the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register to identify potentially relevant controlled trials.

Methods: Language was restricted to English. The surgical techniques were categorized into external DCR (EX-DCR), endonasal laser-assisted DCR (LA-DCR), and nonlaser endoscopic endonasal DCR techniques (EN-DCR). The main outcome measure was success rates after DCR-with and DCR-without silicone intubation. The statistical analysis was carried out using a RevMan 5.0 software.

Results: Of 188 retrieved trials from the electronic database, 9 trials (5 randomized controlled trials and 4 cohort studies) involving 514 cases met our inclusion criteria. There was no statistically significant heterogeneity between the studies. The pooled risk ratio was 0.99, with a 95% confidence interval (0.91-1.08). There was no significant difference in the success rates between the DCR with and without silicone intubation (p = 0.81). Sensitivity analysis and subgroups analyses suggested that the result was comparatively reliable.

Conclusions: Based on this meta-analysis that included 5 randomized controlled trials and 4 cohort studies, no benefit was found for silicone tube intubation in primary DCR. Further well-organized, prospective, randomized studies involving larger patient numbers are required.