AIM: To investigate the effect of nasolacrimal duct packing combined with sodium hyaluronate gel injection in locating the nasal broken end in lacrimal canaliculus anastomosis which is difficult to find the broken end.

METHODS:A total of 13 patients(13 eyes)with traumatic single lacrimal canaliculus rupture were treated in our hospital. RS lacrimal duct drainage tube was inserted into the lacrimal duct from intact lacrimal canaliculus to fill the nasolacrimal duct, then sodium hyaluronate gel was injected to make sodium hyaluronate gel overflow from the nasal broken end of fractured lacrimal canaliculus, which was used to locate the nasal broken end which was difficult to find and completed the lacrimal anastomosis operation.

RESULTS: Among the patients with 13 eyes who were difficult to find the broken end, the nasolacrimal duct was filled with RS lacrimal duct drainage tube. After injection of sodium hyaluronate gel, the gel overflowed from the nasal broken end under direct vision of the microscope, and the lacrimal duct drainage tube was successfully inserted, and the success rate of finding the broken end was 100%. Thirteen eyes were extubated after being placed for 3mo, and then were followed up for 6mo. Among them, 9 eyes were cured, 3 eyes were markedly effective and 1 eye was ineffective. The cure rate was 69%, and the total effective rate was 92%.

CONCLUSION: A new technique for rapid location of nasal broken end is proposed for patients in which are difficult to find the broken end. This method is simple to operate and requires a relatively low clinical experience. It is suitable for patients with different degrees of single lacrimal canaliculus rupture and can complete complex lacrimal canaliculus rupture anastomosis in a short time.