Simplified medial canthoplasty: Technique and early postoperative complications in 601 dogs (1180 eyes).

Purpose: To present a novel modified medial canthoplasty (MCP) technique, the application in 601 dogs (1180 eyes), and a review of the early postoperative complications related to the technique.

Introduction: Macroblepharon and nasal entropion is a common presentation in many brachycephalic dog breeds promoting chronic keratitis. The previously described MCP techniques limit the medial shortening of the eyelids to the location of the lacrimal puncta. A novel technique was developed allowing for a more extensive eyelid shortening nasally.

Methods: The modification of the here described technique includes the longitudinal splitting of the lacrimal canaliculi allowing for an extensive shortening of the lids beyond the lacrimal puncta. Records of 601 dogs which underwent the modified MCP were reviewed regarding breed, indications for surgery, follow-up, and early postoperative surgical complications. Descriptive statistics were applied.

Results: Six hundred one dogs (1180 eyes) were included in this study. Twenty-four different breeds underwent the simplified MCP with the Pug (n = 403) being the most represented breed. Indications were macropalpebral fissure, medial entropion, pigmentary keratitis, trichiasis by haired caruncle, strabismus after globe prolapse, and facial nerve paralysis. The overall complication rate was 1.01% (12/1180) and consisted of wound dehiscence 0.59% (7/1180), corneal ulceration caused by suture material 0.25% (3/1180), and wound infection (2/1180). None of the 601 operated dogs developed serious complications related to the surgical technique.

Conclusions: The simplified MCP is a novel technique with a very low complication rate.