The histopathologic effects of balloon dacryoplasty on the rabbit nasolacrimal duct

Purpose: To examine the histopathologic effects of balloon dacryoplasty on the nasolacrimal duct of the rabbit. Methods: Sixteen nasolacrimal ducts of 8 infant white New Zealand rabbits were divided into 3 treatment groups: a control group, a 2 mm balloon dilation group, and a 3 mm balloon dilation group. The LacriCath balloon catheter (Quest, Medical, Allen, TX) was used for nasolacrimal duct dilation according to the manufacturer's recommended human protocol. The rabbits were euthanized at 1, 3, and 7 days after treatment and the nasolacrimal ducts were harvested for histological examination. Results: There were no significant differences between treatment groups in the number of neutrophils in the lumen, epithelium, and stroma of the duct; the number of monocytes in the stroma of the duct; or in the number of red blood cells in the stroma of the duct. No differences were found in overall cellularity of any type in the nasolacrimal ducts of treated and untreated rabbits. Finally, no histopathologic signs of crush injury were evident. Conclusion: Balloon dacryoplasty does not induce significant inflammation or crush injury in the nasolacrimal duct of a rabbit model.