Anatomical and Functional Success Analysis of Lacrimal Canalicular Lacerations Repaired with Bicanalicular Stents in a Tertiary Referral Teaching Center in Mexico

Introduction: Functional and anatomical success after canalicular laceration repair using only Crawford bicanalicular stents was evaluated in a ophthalmological teaching center. The objective of this study was to evaluate functional and anatomical success after canalicular laceration repair using Crawford bicanalicular stents. Materials and methods: Records of patients with canalicular laceration repair performed from 2010 to 2019 at Ophthalmology Institute Conde de Valenciana in Mexico City were reviewed. Demographic data, injury mechanism and complications were recorded. Anatomical success was assessed with canalicular irrigation and functional success was evaluated using Munk score. Phi correlation coefficient was used to compare the correlation between epiphora and lack of permeability of injured canaliculus and the presence of complications at 6th month postoperative visit. Results: Two-hundred eight patients with lacrimal canalicular injury reconstruction were documented during the study period. The most common age of presentation and etiology was from 21 to 30 years old and injury with a sharp object, respectively. 96 patients were included for the correlation analysis. At 6th month, anatomical success was found in 75% and functional success was found in 77.8%. A statistically significant and directly proportional linear was found between the presence of epiphora and lack of permeability of injured canaliculus, (rφ 0.76, p <0.05) and between the presence of epiphora and postoperative complications, (rφ 0.509, p <0.05). Conclusion: Crawford bicanalicular stents are a valid and accessible option for canalicular laceration repair. Our success rate of lacrimal canalicular lacerations repaired with bicanalicular stents in a Mexican teaching hospital matches worldwide literature. Factors involved in the functional and anatomical success of the reconstruction include presence of postoperative complications and permeability of canaliculus after surgery.

The Impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic on Outpatient Services—An Analysis of Patient Feedback of Virtual Outpatient Clinics in a Tertiary Teaching Center With a Focus on Musculoskeletal and Rheumatology Services

The pandemic has resulted in many changes to health services, one of these is the shift from face-to-face consultations to virtual ones across all specialities. As the pandemic continues with no end in sight it seems that virtual consultations will continue for the foreseeable future. In this article, we analyze the patient feedback so far to virtual consultations in a large tertiary center and use this opportunity to reflect on this new service. We have a particular interest in musculoskeletal services as this is largely an outpatient-based speciality and the pandemic has consequently resulted in significant changes in practice. We also consider whether virtual clinics is a sustainable service post-COVID-19 and the benefits and disadvantages of this.