One-Snip Punctoplasty and Canalicular Curettage Through the Punctum: A Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedure for Primary Canaliculitis
Received 27 September 2008; received in revised form 17 March 2009; accepted 19 March 2009. published online 21 July 2009.
Purpose
To evaluate treatment results of canalicular curettage through the punctum after 1-snip punctoplasty for primary canaliculitis.
Design
Retrospective, interventional case series.
Participants
Thirty patients with primary canaliculitis who were treated at Seoul National University Hospital between February 2005 and January 2008.
Methods
All patients underwent 1-snip punctoplasty and canalicular curettage through the punctum, and granules or concretions were removed. After the procedure, oral and topical antibiotics were used for 3 weeks. Demographic data and clinical presentations of the patients were analyzed. The resolution of symptoms and inflammatory signs and complications were evaluated 3 weeks after the procedure.
Main Outcome Measures
Resolution rate of the canaliculitis and complications after the procedure.
Results
There was a female predominance in the study group (23:7). Common symptoms of canaliculitis included discharge, tearing, and pus or concretions from the punctum. During the procedure, concretions, granules, or discharges were drained in all patients. In 25 (83.3%) of 30 patients, the symptoms and signs of canaliculitis completely resolved 3 weeks after 1 treatment. Two patients (6.7%) required additional curettage. Symptomatic canalicular strictures developed in 2 patients.
Conclusions
Materials were removed easily from the canaliculus using a 1-snip punctoplasty and curettage through the punctum. This procedure, combined with systemic and topical antibiotic therapy, can be a highly effective treatment for primary canaliculitis.
Financial Disclosure(s)
The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Available online: July 18, 2009.
1Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
2Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul, Korea
3Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
Correspondence: Sang In Khwarg, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, 28 Yongon-Dong, Chongno-Gu, Seoul 110-744, Korea
Manuscript no. 2008-1164.
Financial Disclosure(s): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
ABSTRACT