Clinical effects of three types of silicone intubations in repairing lacerations of canaliculus.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effects of one-passage, double-passage and circular canalicular intubations in repairing lacerations of canaliculus.

Methods: A total of 109 eyes in 109 cases of canalicular laceration were repaired with three types of silicone intubations, among which 23 with one-passage canalicular intubation, 51 with double-passage canalicular intubation, and 35 with circular canalicular intubation. The average follow-up period was 12-15 months.

Results: The wound/junction of the lacrimal canaliculi was ruptured in 5 cases (9.80%) of the double-passage group, 3 cases (8.57%) of the circular group, and 8 cases (34.78%) of the one-passage group. The rupture incidence of the one-passage group was significantly higher than that of the other two groups (X(2) equal to 9.416, P less than 0.01). During the intubation, canaliculitis was observed in 12 cases (23.53%) of the double-passage group, while only 3 cases (8.57%) in the circular group and 8 cases (34.78%) in the one-passage group. The circular group had significantly lower incidence of canaliculitis than the other two groups (X(2) equal to 6.095, P less than 0.05). After extubation 6 months after laceration repair, the lacrimal passage remained patent with canalicular irrigation in 46 cases (90.20%) in the double-passage group, 30 cases (85.71%) in the circular group and 15 cases (65.22%) in the one-passage group. Six months after surgery, the canalicular patency in the one-passage group was significantly lower than that of the other two groups (X(2) equal to 7.390, P less than 0.05).

Conclusions: Circular canalicular intubation is more stable and has less surgical complications than the double-passage and one-passage canalicular intubations. It is also more effective clinically 12-15 months after laceration surgery.