[Repair of canalicular lacerations using silicone tubes(80 cases)]

Long-term canalicular intubation is preferred for improving the prognosis of canalicular lacerations. We have improved the intubation step by step from methods I to V. The present paper describes the modifications that we previously made as well as the prognosis of each method.

During the past 13 years, 80 cases of canalicular lacerations underwent the intubation with silicone tubes in our department. The methods used are designated by I (placed in the affected side), II(ring-form intubation into the lacrimal sac), III(loop-form intubation into the nasal cavity), IV(Fayet's tube with a punctal plug is placed in the affected side), and V(a KAWAI open tube with a punctal plug is placed in the affected side).

Each of the canalicular intubations improved the prognosis: the ratio of patients showing improvement was 85.7% for method I, 94.7% for II, 97.3% for III, and 100% for IV and V. Methods IV and V caused fewer complications during long-term intubation.

Method V that we developed permits tear drainage, and decreases epiphora. The punctal plug prevents the tubing from dropping out, and therefore permits longer placing of the canalicular tubing than does method II or III. Thus, our method V seems to improve the prognosis of canalicular laceration repairing.