Resection of anterior canalicular wall and lacrimal stent intubation for lacrimal canaliculitis

Abstract

Objective To study the clinical efficacy of resection of anterior canalicular wall and lacrimal stent intubation for lacrimal canaliculitis. Methods A paralleling eyelid incision about 3 mm away from the margin was performed to expose the bulgy canaliculus. The canaliculus was cut parallelly and the purulent secretion, calculus and granulation tissue were removed.The two ends of a soft silicone stent were implanted via the superior and inferior punctum and were pulled out from nasal cavity where they were tied. The redundant dilated anterior wall canaliculus was resected and the posterior wall was sutured with 8-0 absorbable suture for wrapping up the stent. The follow-up time was 6-12 months. Results The suture of the skin was removed 1 week after the operation, and the stent was taken out 3 months after the operation. After follow-up of 6-12 months, the lacrimal passages were irrigated successfully on 32 cases (32 eyes) among the total 34 cases(34 eyes), accounting for 94.12%. Two patients had recurrent lacrimal passage obstruction, and it caused by stent falling off one week after the operation in one patient. The canaliculus had no purulence with open puncta and resetting eyelid. Conclusion Canaliculus hemisection combined with lacrimal stent intubation is an effective way with low recurrent rate for treating canaliculitis and reconstructing the canaliculus, especially for inferior canaliculitis. Key words: Canaliculitis; Canalicular hemisection; Lacrimal stent intubation