Clinical Experience of Canaliculaoplasty Using Mini-Monoka

ABSTRACT

Surgical effects were evaluated in 37 cases of mono-canalicular laceration following canaliculoplasty using Mini-Monoka from April, 1993 through SEptember, 1997 in the Department of Ophthalomology, Yeungnam University, College of Medicine. Lower canalicular laceration was included in 33 cases and upper canalicular laceration was found in 4 cases. Distance from the punctum to the lacerated canaliculus was noted to be 1 to 9mm(mean 4.6mm) and age ranged from 3 to 57 years(mean29.3 years). Thirty-four patients were men and three were women. Punctal portion of Mini-Monoka was fixated at the punctum with 6-0 black silk suture. End to end anastomosis was performed with 9-0 Ethylone(spatula needle) or 6-0 Vicryl(round needle). Steroid and antibiotics eye drops were used for 6 months after surgery. Mini-Monoka was removed 4 months postoperatively. After the follow-up period of 6-49 months(mean 11.3 months), 36 cases became recanalized well but 1 case showed obstruction because the laceration site was distant, 9mm from the punctum. Postoperative complications included loss of tube(3 cases), granuloma of the punctum(3 cases) and corneal abrasion(2 cases). Canaliculoplasty using Mini-Monoka is a procedure of choice for repair of mono-canalicular laceration with prevention of loss of the tube by punctal fixation suture without damage of the intact another canaliculi and the inferior meatus.