Probing the tear duct in newborns: why is it needed?

Often, newborns appear in the first days of life purulent discharge from the eyes. The main cause of these manifestations is obstruction and inflammation of lacrimal ducts - dacryocystitis.

When it is required to probe the lacrimal canal in newborns

The canal in the womb of the mother is covered with gelatin film. It is provided by nature to protect against hitting the amniotic fluid in the respiratory tract. At birth, during the first inhalation and screaming of the baby, the film bursts. But sometimes this breakthrough does not happen completely and the tear duct remains closed. For this reason, the child's tears gradually accumulate in the lacrimal sac, and the eye "sags." If this problem occurs, the baby should be shown to the doctor. If the diagnosis is confirmed, then the crumb will be assigned conservative treatment - drops, rinsing, special massage of the tear duct in newborns. If the treatment did not bring positive results, then surgical intervention will be necessary. Probing the lacrimal canal in children Is the last measure in the treatment of dacryocystitis.

Conducting

This operation, which involves piercing the film, is quick, but not easy enough. Probing of the lacrimal canal in newborns is usually done in 1-2 months under local anesthesia. The procedure will take 10-15 minutes. In the course of the operation, using the conical Sichel probe, the tear ducts expand, after which the Boumeel probe breaks the present film. After the procedure, it is necessary to wash the disinfectant solution. Within 2-3 weeks after probing, in order to prevent the formation of adhesions and relapse, the doctor prescribes preventive massage and eye antibacterial drops.

Result

This procedure is considered to be quite effective, and repeated sounding of the lacrimal canal in newborns is not required. If after the operation there is no positive effect, then it is worthwhile to think about the presence of other reasons for the appearance of dacryocystitis in the child. Probing will not bring the desired result in the curvature of the septum of the nose, as well as with other pathologies of the lacrimal and nasal canals. Such children are recommended to have surgery with more complex interventions, which are conducted no earlier than six years of age.

Probing the lacrimal canal in newborns: possible complications

This operation should only be carried out by a qualified expert. But in any case it is difficult to predict the reaction of the body to surgical intervention and anesthesia. Often, a puncture appears at the puncture site, which becomes the cause for a repeated plugging of the canal. In order to avoid such consequences, it is necessary to take the doctor's recommendations with all responsibility. In addition, it should be borne in mind that the child becomes older, the more the process of the operation becomes more complicated. Over time, gelatinous film coarsens, and it becomes more difficult to pierce. In this case, an independent discovery becomes almost impossible.