Surgical outcomes and management of complications of StopLoss Jones tube: a single-center study

Purpose We evaluated the surgical outcomes and management of complications associated with the minimally invasive conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy using the StopLoss Jones (SLJT) tube of proximal lacrimal canal obstruction. Methods The study retrospectively included 22 eyes of 15 patients who underwent SLJT for proximal canalicular obstruction. Age, gender, follow-up duration, etiology of canalicular obstruction, previous surgery, tube size, complications, and the need for additional surgical intervention were assessed. Standard tube placement was performed with intranasal endoscopic visualization. Results The mean age (± standard deviation) of the 15 patients included in the study was 59.5 ± 8.34 years. The most common etiology was idiopathic (86.4%), and 45.5% of the 22 eyes had no prior surgery. The median follow-up duration was 12.5 months, 27% of the eyes had a follow-up duration of more than 2 years. The mean time to postoperative complication development was 4.88 ± 3.29 months. Complications were observed in 8 eyes: 4 had conjunctivalization with inferior migration, 1 had only inferior migration, 2 had conchal obstruction (one of which had a nasal mucosal plug), 1 had tube fracture, and 1 eye developed a conjunctival ulcer due to suture irritation. No extrusion was observed. Conclusion SLJT is an effective method for proximal obstructions due to its minimally invasive nature, low rate of tube loss, functionality, and comfort for both patients and surgeons. Although complications are more frequently observed in the early postoperative period and vary depending on the endoscopic approach, tube angle, and regional anatomy, we believe that they can be corrected with early intervention without tube extrusion.