Syringing of the lacrimal passage is a common procedure in the ophthalmology clinic, but improper techniques, rough handling, and outdated instruments can lead to complications. We present a unique case of a retained metallic cannula following syringing, which required surgical extraction. A 51-year-old woman complained of persistent pain and right eyelid swelling following the syringing procedure elsewhere, performed 1 day prior to presentation. The patient was referred to a tertiary care center due to retention of a broken syringing cannula inside the nasolacrimal pathway. She had a prior history of failed dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery. Diagnostic nasal endoscopy showed a scarred ostium with no visualization of any foreign body. Imaging revealed a metallic cannula lodged at the previous ostium site. The cannula was retrieved via previous tear trough incision, and a revision DCR surgery was performed simultaneously. This is the first reported case of a broken cannula impaction within the lacrimal pathway post syringing. The case underscores the importance of routine instrument integrity checks and gentle techniques during syringing.
Kundu et al. (2026) studied this question.