Management of dermoid tumor in the medial canthal area

Dermoid tumors in the medial canthal area are rare, but when present they commonly adhere to the lacrimal canaliculi. Three patients presented with a mass in the medial canthal area. The authors performed excisional biopsies, and the masses were diagnosed as dermoid tumors. In two patients, canalicular lacerations were found after mass excision, which suggested that the masses had been firmly adherent to the lacrimal canaliculi. The lacerated canaliculi were repaired after bicanalicular silicone intubation. In the remaining patient, lacrimal silicone intubation was performed at the beginning of surgery, and the mass was successfully dissected from the canaliculi, leaving them intact. Excision of dermoid tumors in the medial canthal area requires careful dissection to avoid canalicular laceration. Bicanalicular silicone intubation at the beginning of surgery is helpful for the identification of the canaliculi and for the prevention of canalicular laceration during dermoid tumor excision.