Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42455412›Full record

SynthesisInternational ophthalmology2026

Safety and efficacy of silicone intubation compared to standard techniques in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Areej Dar, Amna Amir Jalal, Muhammad Ibrahim, Khudija Sadia, Hamza Irfan, Zuha Tariq, Rameez Qasim, Ghina Khalid, Anas Nasir, Dania Hussain and 5 more

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International ophthalmology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Areej DarDepartment of Medicine, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan.
Amna Amir JalalDepartment of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Muhammad IbrahimDepartment of Medicine, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Khudija SadiaDepartment of Medicine, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan.
Hamza IrfanDepartment of Medicine, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan.
Zuha TariqDepartment of Medicine, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan.
Rameez QasimDepartment of Medicine, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan.
Ghina KhalidDepartment of Medicine, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan.
Anas NasirDepartment of Medicine, Sheikh Zayed Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan.
Dania HussainDepartment of Medicine, United Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan.
Barka SajidDepartment of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Rabia NizamDepartment of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Muddassir KhalidDepartment of Medicine, Nishtar Medical University, Nishtar Hospital Multan, Multan, 60000, Pakistan. dr.muddassirkhalid@gmail.com.
Kinza TanveerDepartment of Medicine, Karachi Metropolitan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Mohamed RifaiDepartment of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El Kom, Egypt.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPrimary Acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) is a lacrimal drainage disorder, commonly seen in adults. Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy (EN-DCR) is a widely adopted surgical procedure for treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Silicon intubation is a technique, which involves inserting a soft silicone stent to keep the ostium patent post operatively.

methodsThis meta-analysis followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, with searches across 4 databases. Primary outcomes were overall success rate, and overall failure rate. Secondary outcomes included granulations/intracanalicular obstruction (ICO) threats, hemorrhage, anatomical failure, functional failure, recurrent symptoms/epiphora, and cicatricial stenosis/post-procedural restenosis. Data were analyzed using R software version 4.3. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I

resultsFrom 3,974 studies initially, 20 studies were selected in the final review, in which 17 were RCTs and 3 observational studies. A statistically significant improvement in surgical success rates, while reducing failure rates were observed in the silicone intubation (stented) group compared to the unstented group. No significant difference was observed in the incidence of restenosis, hemorrhage, functional failure, epiphora or recurrent symptoms. Reduction of anatomical failure was observed. Increase in adverse effects of granulation tissue formation and internal canalicular obstruction were observed. Heterogeneity was low and no publication bias was detected in outcomes.

conclusionsSilicone intubation during mechanical endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EN-DCR) was associated with improved success and patency rates, as well as lower failure rate. While more resource-intensive, it provides a slightly higher advantage, particularly in recurrent or revision instances, recommending its implementation in routine EN-DCR where possible.

Indexed as

DacryocystorhinostomyEndoscopyIntubationLacrimal Duct ObstructionNasolacrimal DuctSiliconesStentsHumansTreatment OutcomeSiliconesDCR techniquesEndoscopic dacryocystorhinostomyNasolacrimal duct obstructionPANDOSilicon intubation

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.