Study of Silicone Tube and Mini Monoka(R) for Reconstruction of Lacrimal Canaliculi

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: In case of facial injury, a canalicular injury is common. Many methods and materials have been used for reconstruction of lacrimal canaliculi. Silicone tube is the most widely used material, generally with pigtail probe or stainless steel probe. But it has still many problems. The authors guess that reconstruction using Mini Monoka(R) will reduce those problems and will be more successful. METHODS: From July, 2003 to November, 2006 in 24 patients with canalicular injury, 11 cases were reconstructed with former silicone tube and 13 cases were treated with Mini Monoka(R). RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 3 months. The results of reconstruction were classified into three groups(Normal, Fair, Poor). In 13 cases with Mini Monoka(R) stent, 10 cases were normal, 3 were fair, and no poor cases. But in 11 cases with bicanaliculus silicone stent, 6 cases were normal, 3 were fair, and 2 were poor. CONCLUSION: Compared with bicanaliculus silicone stent, Mini Monoka(R) stent is fixed well, has no aesthetic problems, makes less foreign body sensation. And the results were successful.