AIM:To observe the clinical efficacy of puncta drainage and Nd:YAG laser dacryocystoplasty with silicone tube stents for acute dacryocystitis complicated by abscess formation.

METHODS:A total of 28 patients who were diagnosed as acute dacryocystitis with abscess formation during the period from December 2011 to December 2014 were treated with puncta drainage and Nd:YAG laser dacryocystoplasty with silicone tube stents. The silicone tube stents were removed after 6mo, and the patients were followed up for at least 6mo. The situation of epiphora, suppurating, abscess absorption and other complications were observed.

RESULTS:In the first 6mo postoperatively, improvement or absence of the epiphora, unobstructed lacrimal duct occurred in all the patients, and there was no recurrence of the lacrimal inflammation or pyorrhea. The silicone tube stents were removed at 6mo postoperatively, the follow-up period was 6mo after removal of the silicon tube stents. There were 13 eyes cured and 7 eyes improved, and the total effective rate was 71%. No improvement was observed in 8 eyes, accounting for 29%.

CONCLUSION:The puncta drainage and Nd:YAG laser dacryocystoplasty with silicone tube stents is an effective treatment for acute dacryocystitis complicated by abscess formation. But the recurrence rate is high, and another surgery is needed in such cases.