Traumatic canalicular laceration and complex eyelid injury in a newborn delivered by forceps.
Keerti Wali, Aniketan Vallabha, Anilkumar Sajjan
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Case in brief
A newborn sustained complex upper eyelid lacerations and canalicular injury due to forceps-assisted delivery after obstructed labor. The infant presented with four full-thickness lacerations and underwent immediate surgical repair with canalicular stenting. A corneal ulcer developed from stent trauma but resolved after early stent removal and antibiotic treatment. By three months, the eyelid and cornea healed well, though a residual notch and corneal opacity remained.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
This case highlights the importance of timely surgical intervention in managing complex neonatal eyelid and canalicular injuries, which can lead to favorable outcomes despite initial complications.
Why it matters
It underscores the challenges in balancing maternal preferences with clinical recommendations during obstetric care, particularly in high-risk delivery scenarios.