Emergency repair of lacrimal canaliculus

Twenty-three patients with canalicular injuries who underwent emergency treatment are presented. A round-tipped pigtail probe was used to position the silicone tube for canalicular intubation. Four patients had the injury in the common lacrimal canaliculus. After tubing both canaliculi, the silicone tube ends were retrieved from the inferior meatus. The rest of the patients had inferior canalicular injury. In those cases, a circle was formed by a silicone tube between the upper and lower canaliculi. The silicone tube was held in place for 4–6 months. After removal of the silicone tube, the lacrimal drainage system was evaluated by the dye disappearance test and radiological methods. The drainage system was patent in all cases with a consequent lack of epiphora.This study was partly presented at the European Appointed 20th National Congress of the Turkish Society of Plastic Surgeons on 5 September 1998.