Abstract
Purpose: :
To demonstrate a novel method of seating a silicone mono-canalicular stent in the setting of traumatic canalicular laceration and stenosis.
Methods: :
After difficulty passing a Mini-Monoka silicone stent anterograde through a stenotic punctum, a fine lacrimal irrigation cannula was passed retrograde through the laceration site, exiting through the punctum. A 6-0 prolene suture was passed through the cannula and tied to the end of the silicone stent. The irrigation cannula was removed and the suture was pulled out through the laceration site, advancing the stent until it was firmly seated at the puncal-canalicular junction. The suture was then removed,and the nasal end of the stent was seated and the laceration was sutured in the usual fashion, reapproximating the normal lacrimal anatomy. Upon removal of the mono-canalicular stent several weeks later, the patient denied symptoms of epiphora.
Results: :
A silicone mono-canalicular stent was successfully seated during repair of a full-thickness canalicular laceration using a novel method of pulling with a suture rather than pushing in the traditional fashion.
Conclusions: :
Silicone mono-canalicular stents can be seated successfully and relatively atraumatically through stenotic punctae or canaliculi using this novel method of insertion.