Optimal Repair and Stent Remove Time for Monocanalicular Laceration Repair with Mini-Monoka Stent: A Coss-Sectional Study

Abstract

To evaluated the experience of canalicular repair using Mini-Monoka stent and assess the ideal timing of surgery and tube removal. Material and Methods: The forty-six patients who underwent canalicular laceration repair with Mini-Monoka stent were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, type of injury, associated ocular injury, length of time between injury and surgery, the retention time of stent, functional, and anatomic success rates were analyzed. The effect of stent removal time on success rates and whether early removal of the stent has an impact on surgical success was evaluated. To assess whether the duration of time between injury and surgery affects surgical success, patients were divided into 3 groups according to the surgical repair timing which is 24 hours, between 24-48 hours, or after 48 hours. Results: The mean age was 30.6±16.7 with male predominance (80.4%). The mean duration from injury to surgery was 38.7±28.9 hours (2 hours-9 days). The stent was removed on average at 6.7±1.86 (2-9) weeks. Early removal of the stent was not associated with failure cases. Anatomical and functional successes were 84.7% and 89.1%, respectively. There was no significant difference between anatomical (p=0.78) and functional success rates (p=0.12) based on the repair timing among the above-mentioned three groups. Conclusion: With an elective scheduling surgery, instead of an urgent repair, it is possible to achieve high success rates with an experienced team under appropriate conditions. The retention time of stent at 7 weeks on average may be adequate to provide canalicular patency.