Canaliculosinostomy as a Long-Term Treatment of Seven Horses for Permanent Obstruction of the Nasolacrimal Duct.

OBJECTIVE

To describe canaliculosinostomy performed to resolve epiphora caused by nasolacrimal duct obstruction and to report the outcome of horses undergoing this procedure.

STUDY

DESIGN

Case series.

ANIMALS: Seven horses with uni- or bilateral nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

METHODS

The ventral lacrimal punctum and canaliculus were expanded with catheters of increasing diameter until a 14 gauge, Jamshedi needle could be passed into and through the lacrimal sac into the caudal maxillary sinus. One end of a plastic tube was inserted through the needle into the sinus, and the needle was withdrawn over the tubing. Using a hubless needle, the other end of the tube was passed through the lower eyelid leaving a segment of tubing exposed ventral to the eyelid. The end of the tubing within the sinus was exteriorized through a trephine hole in the frontal sinus and then tunneled beneath the skin adjacent to the osteotomy using a hubless needle, leaving a segment of tubing exposed on the forehead. Exposed tubing was sutured to the skin. The tubing was removed at 5-6 weeks.

RESULTS

Canaliculosinostomy was easily performed with the horses sedated. Five horses had resolution of epiphora, and 2 had improvement.

CONCLUSION

Canaliculosinostomy to divert lacrimal secretions into the sinuses resolves or improves epiphora caused by nasolacrimal duct obstruction and provides a good functional and cosmetic outcome. Canaliculosinostomy can be performed in the sedated horse.