Marsupialization of the Nictitating Membrane Cyst Following Cherry Eye Repair in a Dog

One-year-old male Cocker Spaniel dog was referred for the third eyelid enlargement and inflammation in the left eye (OS). It gradually swelled for 2 weeks after the cherry eye repair by conjunctival mucosa pocket procedure at a private animal clinic. Routine ophthalmic examinations including neuro-ophthalmic examination, Schirmer tear test, intraocular pressure and corneal fluorescein staining were all normal. No lesions were found on slit lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy except for third eyelid swelling in the OS. Ultrasonography revealed cystic structure within the OS nictitating membrane. Fluid from the cyst was aspirated and there were no microorganisms or neoplastic changes. Surgical intervention was performed under general anesthesia. On the day of the surgery, there was a deep corneal ulcer in the OS, which had not existed before. Ventral palpebral surface of the third eyelid was incised horizontally to the shaft of the T-shaped hyaline cartilage. And then, a full thickness of the cystic wall was incised and marsupialized. Additionally, a direct suture was performed on the ulcerated cornea. Topical and systemic antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs were prescribed. One month after the surgery, the third eyelid swelling and the discharge were improved. Marsupialization of the nictitating membrane cyst relieved the swelling of the third eyelid and inflammation. It could be a simple but effective surgical intervention for the cystic complication of conjunctival mucosa pocket procedure in dogs.