Demographics and Surgical Outcomes of Mini Monoka Silicone Intubation in Patients with Canalicular Lacerations

To report the demographics and clinical profile, and outcomes of canalicular laceration repaired with Mini Monoka monocanalicular stent. All patients who had undergone canalicular laceration repair over 4 years (2004-2008) at Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahwaz, were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, the cause of eyelid injury, associated ocular damage, time interval between injury and surgery, and surgical management with Mini Monoka stent were analyzed. Patients were observed for complications (especially for epiphora) and premature extrusion. Afterwards, probing and irrigation test were done under topical anesthesia. Eighty-eight out of 97 referred patients with eyelid laceration including 70 men (79.5%) and 18 women (20.5%) had monocanalicular injury and underwent Mini Monoka stent implantation. Mean age at presentation was 25.4 (range: 12 months to 75) years. The main cause of laceration was motor vehicle accidents. Lower and upper canalicular injuries were present in 79 (89.8%) and 9 patients (10.2%), respectively. Simultaneous ocular injury was noted in 32 patients (36.3%). Probing and irrigation test was done in 56 patients which was normal in 49 patients; therefore, anatomical success rate was considered 87.5%. There was no epiphora in any patient (functional success rate defined as 100%). Premature stent loss was the main post operative complication in 5 patients (9%). Mean duration of the stent remaining in its place was 8 months (range: 1 to 28). The MiniMonoka monocanalicular stent is a safe, effective and uncomplicated surgical technique. Unlike bicanalicular procedures, this procedure does not threaten unaffected parts of the lacrimal drainage system.