Anatomy of lower lacrimal canaliculus relative to epicanthoplasty.

The aim of this study is to elucidate detailed anatomy of the lower lacrimal canaliculus relative to epicanthoplasty. Nine lower eyelids of Korean adult cadavers were studied. Serial sagittal sections of the medial side of the lower eyelids including canaliculi were made, and the specimens were observed under a light microscope. The depth and width (diameter) of the vertical portion were 2.58 +/- 0.24 mm and 0.44 +/- 0.07 mm, respectively. A vertical portion of the canaliculus was about 1 mm (1.11 +/- 0.16 mm) deep, and the horizontal portion was about 2 to 3 mm (2.08 +/- 2.74 mm) long 2 mm below the mucocutaneous junction, where an incision may be given in epicanthoplasty. The lower lacrimal canaliculus is vulnerable to injury during epicanthoplasty.