Pediatric Traumatic Canalicular Lacerations: Characteristics and Prognostic Factors

TL;DR

This study examines the causes and outcomes of canalicular lacerations in children and identifies factors that affect recovery after surgery.

Contribution

The study identifies specific prognostic factors for functional outcomes in pediatric canalicular lacerations.

Findings

Lower canalicular lacerations were more common than upper ones.

Sharp object scratches were the leading cause of injury.

Laceration location, injury mechanism, and surgical delay significantly influenced outcomes.

Abstract

Background: To elucidate the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of pediatric traumatic canalicular lacerations treated at a tertiary hospital and analyze the prognostic factors of influencing functional outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective review included all pediatric patients who sustained a primary canalicular laceration at Hebei Eye Hospital between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2022. Data on patient demographics, mode of injury, and surgical outcomes were collected through detailed chart review. The prognostic factors of affecting functional outcomes were assessed using Fisher's exact test for categorical variables.

Results: The study included 89 pediatric patients (66 males and 23 females) with a mean age of 7.26 years. There were 65 patients with lower canalicular lacerations, 19 patients with upper lacerations, and 5 patients with concurrent lacerations. Right eye damage was observed in 51 patients and 38 with damage to the left eye. The most common cause of injury was scratches caused by sharp objects (52.8%), followed by electric bicycle accidents (18.0%), falls (18.0%), and dog bites (7.9%). Statistically significant prognostic factors for functional outcomes included the location of the laceration (p=0.009), mode of injury (p=0.045), and the time interval from injury to surgical repair (p=0.032).

Conclusions: In this study, key prognostic factors for pediatric canalicular lacerations included laceration location, injury mechanism, and delay in surgical repair. Variables such as age, gender, affected side, stent type, and removal timing did not significantly impact outcomes. Increasing hazard awareness of the caregiver, enhancing public education, and implementing preventive measures to reduce injury incidence are crucial for prevention.

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