Canalicular lacerations: Factors predicting outcome at a tertiary eye care centre

To determine the factors predictive of outcome in canalicular laceration repair at a tertiary eye care centre. A retrospective review of the medical records of all primary canalicular laceration repairs managed at a tertiary eye care centre between the years 2006 and 2014 was done. Thirty-nine patients were included and majority were male (79.5%) with a mean age of 30.05 + 16.2 years (range 2-65). Most (n = 34) had monocanalicular laceration and 5 had bicanalicular laceration. All surgeries were done in the operating room setting. Overall patency by irrigation was seen in 74.4% at a median follow-up of 19.89 weeks (range 21-910). Anatomical outcome was different among the stents and best after Mini-Monoka monocanalicular stent (17/19; 89.5%) followed by bicanalicular annular stents (n = 6; 60%) and 20G Silicone rod (8/14, 57%). The factors predictive of poor outcome were related to the mode of injury [road traffic accidents; Hazard ratio (HR)19.57; p = 0.048] and the type of stent [20G silicone rod (HR 35.7; C.I 3.04 - 419.14; p = 0.004)] by multivariate analysis. Skill of the surgeon was critical as the outcome for fellows-in-training showed a trend towards failure (HR 6.66, p = 0.07). Complications included stent extrusion (n = 28.2%), punctal granuloma (n = 5.1%) and stent exposure (n = 2.5%). The mode of injury - road traffic accidents and type of stent - 20 G silicone rod were risk factors predictive of poorer outcome after canalicular laceration repair. Individual skill of operating surgeon may be a critical factor suggesting a review of training protocols.