Yen-Chang Chu1, Shu-Ya Wu2, Yueh-Ju Tsai2, Yi-Lin Liao2, Hsueh-Yen Chu2. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan; Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. Electronic address: umbo2003@gmail.com. 2. Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan; Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To determine whether delayed repair of traumatic canalicular laceration affects the final outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: The medical records of 334 patients who underwent primary traumatic canalicular laceration repair were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the surgical timing within 48 hours (early) or after 48 hours (delayed). The anatomic results were compared between these 2 groups. The causes of delayed repair and the mean operation time were also analyzed. RESULTS: There were 23 failed cases among 301 patients (7.6%) who had a repair within 48 hours and 3 failed cases among 33 patients (9.1%) who had a repair after 48 hours (P = .732). The mean operation time was 62 minutes in the early group and 66.3 minutes in the delayed group, which showed no significant difference (P = .371). The major cause of delayed surgery was traumatic brain injury, followed by facial or orbital fracture, long bone fracture, and chest injury. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed canalicular repair in unstable patients did not lead to poor results. An elective scheduling surgery, instead of an urgent repair, is feasible for an experienced surgeon.
PURPOSE: To determine whether delayed repair of traumatic canalicular laceration affects the final outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: The medical records of 334 patients who underwent primary traumatic canalicular laceration repair were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the surgical timing within 48 hours (early) or after 48 hours (delayed). The anatomic results were compared between these 2 groups. The causes of delayed repair and the mean operation time were also analyzed. RESULTS: There were 23 failed cases among 301 patients (7.6%) who had a repair within 48 hours and 3 failed cases among 33 patients (9.1%) who had a repair after 48 hours (P = .732). The mean operation time was 62 minutes in the early group and 66.3 minutes in the delayed group, which showed no significant difference (P = .371). The major cause of delayed surgery was traumatic brain injury, followed by facial or orbital fracture, long bone fracture, and chest injury. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed canalicular repair in unstable patients did not lead to poor results. An elective scheduling surgery, instead of an urgent repair, is feasible for an experienced surgeon.