Comparison of Canalicular Laceration in Pediatric and Adult Patients: Occurrence and Treatment Outcomes

Aim: To evaluate the treatment outcomes of canalicular laceration in pediatric and adult patients, and investigate factors that affect the development of epiphora.Methods: Data from 90 patients who underwent canalicular laceration repair between April 2014 and February 2022 were analyzed. We included twenty-seven children and sixty-three adult patients with a minimum 6-month follow-up.Results: The mean age was 7.48±4.5(1-18)years in the pediatric group and 39.81±12.4 (19-65 years). years in the adult group. The mean time between injury and surgery was 1.52±1.67 days in the pediatric group and 2.3±1.4 days in the adult group. The difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05) Mini-Monoka stent was inserted in 24 patients, a bicanalicular silicone tube in 2 patients, and no implant in one patient in the pediatric group. Mini-Monoka stent was inserted in 49 patients, a bicanalicular silicone tube in 9 patients, and no implant in 5 patients in the adult group. Only 1(%3,7) patient had postoperative epiphora in the pediatric group, 8 (%12,6) patients in the adult group. Complaints of epiphora were less frequent in the pediatric group (p:0.05). In both groups, lower canalicular laceration was more common. Outdoor injuries and the need for additional surgery were more frequent in the adult age group.Conclusion: Based on our study, we found that trauma due to a traffic accident, the presence of an additional injury of the periorbital area, and operation without stent insertion have a significant effect on increasing epiphora. We believe early intervention with a stent-assisted surgery would minimize the problems that may occur in both groups.