Two Cases of Skin Necrosis after Canaliculodacryocystorhinostomy in Young Women

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report 2 cases of skin necrosis over the medial canthus following canaliculodacryocystorhinostomy in young women diagnosed with canalicular obstruction. CASE SUMMARY: (Case 1) A 31-year-old female presented to our clinic with epiphora in the right eye that had developed 2 years prior. On examination, a right upper and lower canalicular obstruction was noted and the patient underwent canaliculodacryocystorhinostomy with silicone tube intubation. Topical 0.04% mitomycin-C eyedrops were applied twice a day from postoperative day 1 for 7 days. The patient revisited our emergency center with swelling, redness, and tenderness in the medial canthal region that developed 3 days after the initial surgery. Furthermore, a skin ulceration had developed followed by an exudative oozing with crust. (Case 2) A 23-years-old female visited our clinic with epiphora in the right eye that had developed 3 months prior. Ophthalmic examinations revealed a common canalicular obstruction in the right eye and canaliculodacryocystorhinostomy with silicone tube intubation was performed. Seven days postoperatively, the patient developed mild pain and tenderness over the right lacrimal sac and medial canthal erythema with purulent discharge was noted. Furthermore, a localized skin necrosis had developed. CONCLUSIONS: Localized skin necrosis may rarely develop after canaliculodacryocystorhinostomy in young women. If localized skin symptoms develop postoperatively, the patient should be closely monitored.