Reconstructions of Traumatic Lacrimal Canalicular Lacerations: A 5 Years Experience

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the demographic and epidemiological data, clinical features and surgical outcomes of lacrimal canalicular lacerations. Methods: The charts ofall patients who applied to our emergency department with eyelid laceration from 2008 to 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic and epidemiological data, clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, simultaneous injuries and complications of patients who underwent canalicular laceration repair surgery were analyzed. Results: A total of 556 patients were identified with an eyelid laceration, and in 42 (7.55%) of these patients 44 lacrimal canalicular lacerations were detected. The average age was 26.16±18.42 (range 5 to 78) years and mean follow-up time was 17.62±6.62 months (range 12-42 months). The male-to-female ratio was 5.3-1. The lower canaliculus was involved in 33 patients (78.57%), the upper in 7 patients (16.6%), and 2 patients (4.76%) had bicanalicular involvement. The most common etiology of canalicular laceration was assault (n = 16, 38.1%) followed by traffic accidents (n = 8, 19.05%). In 28 patients (66.67%) surgery was performed within 24 hours and in 14 patients (33.33%) surgery was performed between 24 hours and 6 days. In 32 patients (76.2%) direct anatomosis and in 10 patients (23.8%) indirect anastomosis was performed. Tubes were removed after a mean time of 5.8±2.8 months. Anatomic success was 96.87%, while functional success was 92.85%. Complications were detected in 3 cases: two patients had early tube extrusions and in patient had punctal slits. Conclusion: Reconstruction of traumatic lacrimal canalicular lacerations with stenting gives good results at long-term follow up. The Mini-Monoka tube is a safe, simple, effective method with few complications.