Background

To describe the preparation of a rabbit lacrimal canalicular injury model, assess the canalicular healing, and determine the suitability of this model to study the biophysical changes of mono-canalicular stents.

Methods

Twelve canaliculi of twelve eyes of six healthy New Zealand white rabbits were included in the study. A canalicular injury model was prepared under general anesthesia. The injury was then repaired using modified Masterka^R stents and peri-canalicular wound closure. The stents were extubated at eight weeks, and specific surgical techniques used to obtain the healed canaliculi. Histopathological analysis was carried out on the canaliculi samples, and the stents were examined ultra-structurally using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Results

At eight weeks, the canaliculus maintained its integrity and demonstrated good healing with epithelium continuity. However, the area of incision and suture showed hyperplastic epithelium with significant sub-epithelial fibrosis. Lacrimal irrigation following stent extubation confirmed patency of all the canalicular systems studied. SEM study revealed the biofilm formation and physical deposits over the external, luminal, and adluminal surfaces of all Masterka^R stents with intervening skip areas. Although these changes were seen all over the stent, the most preferential site for physical deposits and biofilm aggregates was the ampullary portion of the stent’s head. None of the rabbits showed any evidence of a post-operative ocular infection or local inflammation.

Conclusion

Rabbits are good candidates for the preparation of a lacrimal canalicular injury model. The canalicular tissues demonstrate changes following repair. The biophysical changes on the extubated stents resembled those obtained from the humans.

中文翻译：

---

开发兔小管损伤模型：masterkaR 支架的生物物理变化及其对未来研究的影响

背景

描述兔泪小管损伤模型的制备, 评估小管愈合, 并确定该模型是否适合研究单管支架的生物物理变化。

方法

该研究包括六只健康新西兰白兔的十二只眼睛的十二条小管。在全身麻醉下制备小管损伤模型。然后使用改良的 Masterka ^R支架和小管周围伤口闭合修复损伤。支架在八周时拔管，并使用特定的手术技术获得愈合的小管。对小管样本进行组织病理学分析，并使用扫描电子显微镜 (SEM) 对支架进行超结构检查。

结果

在八周时，小管保持其完整性并显示出良好的上皮连续性愈合。然而，切口和缝合区域显示增生的上皮与显着的上皮下纤维化。支架拔管后的泪道冲洗证实了所有研究的小管系统通畅。SEM 研究揭示了所有 Masterka ^R支架的外部、管腔和管腔表面上的生物膜形成和物理沉积物，中间有跳跃区域。尽管在支架各处都可以看到这些变化，但物理沉积物和生物膜聚集体的最优先位置是支架头部的壶腹部分。没有一只兔子显示出任何术后眼部感染或局部炎症的迹象。

结论

兔子是制备泪小管损伤模型的良好候选者。小管组织在修复后表现出变化。拔管支架上的生物物理变化类似于从人类身上获得的变化。