A New Way of Managing Canalicular Injury Associated With Late Eyelid Burns

This study aimed to introduce a new way to rebuild the canalicular system of patients with occluded punctums after long-time burns.

Cases with eyelid burns associated canalicular injury presented at Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from June 1st, 2015 to September 30th 2017 were referred to department of Orbital & Oculoplastic Surgery. Cases with occluded both superior and inferior punctuns were recommended to surgery. Twenty-seven cases were enrolled in our study. Patients were followed up at 1, 2, and 4 weeks and 3, 4, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Success of the surgery was defined as being free of epiphora and purulence postoperatively, a normal functional endoscopic dye test, free-flowing irrigation through the lacrimal system, and the presence of upper and lower punctum ostium.

With a follow-up of 12 months postoperative, there were 22 cases that showed surgical success outcome according to the set criteria. The success rate of our surgery is 81.48%.

The surgical procedure used in our study is an effective and easy way to treat patiens with occluded punctum after long-time burns. The utility of silicone intubation is necessary and delayed tubing removal maybe meaningful in these kinds of patients.