Bicanalicular intubation is effective and atraumatic

Modified bicanalicular intubation is effective and atraumatic for the management of canalicular lacerations in adults, claims a study in the journal Eye.

Dr X. Liang et al., State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre, China, performed surgical procedures on 35 eyes in 35 adult patients from October 2007 to September 2009. The silicone tubes were inserted through the lacrimal punctum using a modified soft probe. The tubes were left in the bicanaliculi for 3-10 months.

The procedure was successfully performed in all eyes. After 3-10 months the tubes were removed and the mean follow-up time after the removal was 13.8 months.

Only one eye experienced splitting in the lower punctum after surgery. There were no other complications recorded that were linked to the silicone tubes and all tubes were successfully removed.

The modified bicanalicular intubation procedure is associated with fewer complications than traditional sutures for canalicular lacerations in adults.

To read the abstract please click here.