J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2009 Dec;50(12):1768-1773. 10.3341/jkos.2009.50.12.1768.

Treatment of the SmartPLUG-related Canaliculitis

• Ahn SM
• Kim HC
• Jang JW
• Kim SJ

• KMID: 2212986
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2009.50.12.1768

Abstract

PURPOSE
To report on the treatment approach of canaliculitis related to SmartPLUG use and its clinical manifestation.
METHODS
A retrospective chart review of eight patients who had canaliculitis after the insertion of the SmartPLUG was conducted.
RESULTS
Seven out of eight cases with canaliculitis related to the SmartPLUG required extraction of the SmartPLUG. While four cases were removed with only retrograde massage, two cases required surgical treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
Canaliculitis related to SmartPLUG use is rarely reported. However, canaliculitis as a complication is difficult to treat and often leads to surgery. In canaliculitis related to SmartPLUG use, retrograde massage as a non-surgical method for the simple and effective removal of the SmartPLUG can be beneficial.

Keyword

Canaliculitis; Retrograde massage; SmartPLUG

MeSH Terms

Corneal Ulcer
Dacryocystitis
Humans
Massage
Retrospective Studies
Canaliculitis
Corneal Ulcer
Dacryocystitis

Figure

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  Figure 1. Photographs of the patients 3 (A) and 5 (B) with canaliculitis showing peripunctal swelling and injection.

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  Figure 2. The scheme of the retrograde massage. It starts pressing the lacrimal sac and progress apart to the punctum.

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  Figure 3. The removed SmartPLUG by retrograde massage in the patient 5

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  Figure 4. The biopsy of the pericanalicular tissue reveals dense infiltration of mixed inflammatory cells, including plasma cells, small lymphocytes and neutrophils in the subepithelial connective tissue (hematoxylin-eosin stain, ×400)

Reference

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