This study aimed to assess the surgical and patient reported outcomes for monocanalicular and bicanalicular silicone stent insertion in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy for distal nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

A retrospective cohort study was undertaken for all endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy cases performed collaboratively by ENT and ophthalmology at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

A total of 60 patients were included in the study. Tubes were used in 95 per cent of cases; 92 per cent reported a positive outcome. Minor post-operative complications occurred in 30 per cent. When further broken down by tube type, success rates were 94 per cent for monocanalicular and 95.5 per cent for bicanalicular stents, however, the difference was not statistically significant. In contrast, the complication rates were 22 per cent for monocanalicular stents and 63.6 per cent for bicanalicular stents, with this difference being statistically significant.

Both monocanalicular and bicanalicular stents showed similar high surgical success rates. However, monocanalicular stents were better tolerated by patients and associated with fewer complications.