The effectiveness of the pigtail probe method of repairing canalicular lacerations

Abstract

The pigtail probe method of repairing canalicular lacerations is a widely used technique, however its long-range effectiveness has never been documented. By evaluating statistical data on 51 canalicular lacerations, and then examining 30 patients who had been repaired by the pigtail probe we were able to conclude that: a left inferior canalicular laceration, in a young male, following assault is the most common presentation; that this method objectively yields a 36.6% patency rate with a 10% incidence of iatrogenic damage to the uninvolved side; that 73.3% of the failures remained asymptomatic; secondary to keratitis sicca, a functioning conjunctival canalicular fistula, or the patent remaining canaliculus; and that the inferior canaliculus appears to be symptomatically more important than the superior canaliculus. It is suggested that all canalicular lacerations be repaired, but that the pigtail probe method be abandoned.