Applications of a cannulated extrusion needle during vitreoretinal microsurgery

A specially designed cannulated extrusion needle facilitates the internal drainage of subretinal fluid during vitreoretinal microsurgery. Case histories demonstrate the use of this instrument in the management of complex retinal detachments including eyes with preretinal and subretinal hemorrhage, proliferative vitreoretinopathy with open peripheral retinal breaks, retinal detachment with giant retinal tear, and combined traction-rhegmatogenous detachments due to diabetic retinopathy. This method of internal drainage appears to have specific advantages over standard techniques by allowing the removal of subretinal hemorrhage, the utilization of pre-existing peripheral breaks for internal drainage, and the complete reattachment of shallow posterior pole retinal detachments to allow laser endophotocoagulation.     

Design features and surgical use of a cannulated extrusion needle

A cannulated extrusion needle was designed as a modification of the standard 20-gauge extrusion by including an inner 24-gauge flexible cannula that can be extended up to 18 mm beyond the metal tip. Indications for use of the instrument are reviewed along with selected case histories demonstrating its use. The instrument is used primarily for internal subretinal fluid drainage in eyes with complex retinal detachments caused by proliferative vitreoretinopathy. The flexible cannula is guided into the subretinal space through an open peripheral retinal break and the subretinal fluid is evacuated during a simultaneous fluid/air exchange. The positive pressure of the automated air pump creates a pressure gradient sufficient to achieve passive egress of subretinal fluid through the cannula. Active suction is avoided because of the risk of posterior retinal incarceration into the cannula tip. In addition, the cannula can be used to remove hemorrhage, gas, or silicone oil in the subretinal space.Presented at the XVIth Meeting of the Club Jules Gonin, Bruges, 4–8 September 1988Supported in part by the Helena Rubinstein Foundation, New York, and in part by the Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Miami, Florida, USA; the authors have no commercial or financial interest in the cannulated extrusion needle     

The surgical management of giant retinal tears with the cannulated extrusion needle

In 18 eyes of 17 patients, we treated retinal detachment caused by a giant retinal tear by unfolding and repositioning the retina with a cannulated extrusion needle. After pars plana vitrectomy, a fluid-gas exchange was performed with the patient in the supine position. Using the cannulated extrusion needle to drain subretinal fluid posterior to the giant retinal tear, the retinal flap was manipulated into the correct anatomic position. With this technique, 18 of 18 eyes with retinal detachment caused by a giant retinal tear were successfully reattached intraoperatively. Although eight of these eyes subsequently redetached and required additional surgical procedures, 16 of 18 eyes remain attached with a mean follow-up of 11 months.     

Management of intraocular foreign bodies

Thirty-five consecutive cases of perforating ocular injuries with retained intraocular foreign body (IOFB) are examined in this retrospective study. Of the 35 cases with injuries, 30 (86%) were due to metallic foreign bodies. Of these, 25 (83%) involved foreign bodies of ferromagnetic origin. Magnetic extraction in combination with pars plana vitrectomy (or when possible, magnetic extraction alone) was successfully used to remove these foreign bodies. Even in cases where posterior vitrectomy is indicated, magnetic extraction allows good control of the foreign body during removal minimizing surgical trauma and the subsequent postoperative inflammatory response.     

Management of postequatorial magnetic intraretinal foreign bodies

17 patients with intraretinal magnetic foreign bodies and vitreous hemorrhage are reported. 15 patients underwent a primary surgical repair consisting of a watertight wound closure and removal of the already swelling cataractous lens in 5 cases. All patients had vitrectomy during the second postinjury week. The foreign body was left in place in 2 cases and removed with intravitreal forceps in 15 patients. Total or partial retinal attachment was achieved in 12 patients (71%). Details of the surgical procedure are described.     

Suture needle drainage of subretinal fluid.

A simple technique is described for the transcleral drainage of subretinal fluid during retinal detachment repair. In a prospective study of 94 consecutive suture needle drainage procedures subretinal fluid was successfully drained in 91 cases. There were six 'significant' subretinal haemorrhages associated with the procedure, but none was subfoveal in location or directly compromised the surgical outcome. In no case was retinal incarceration or retinotomy observed.     

Removal of corneal foreign bodies that project into the anterior chamber: use of a suture needle

PURPOSE: To describe and illustrate a simple and reliable technique for removing penetrating corneal foreign bodies. METHODS: A 6-mm needle was placed through the cornea beneath the corneal foreign body to provide support and illumination posteriorly. RESULTS: In eight eyes of eight patients all penetrating corneal foreign bodies were removed completely without severe complications. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a suture needle during removal of penetrating corneal foreign bodies is simple, effective, reliable, and inexpensive.     

眼球后段球内异物的处置

目的：评价常用的三种处置眼球后段异物的方法,对其效果及影响因素进行分析。方法：对行眼球后段异物取出的８２例（８３只眼）住院患者进行回顾性研究。结果：三组手术方式中异物一次取出率以玻切组最高（９６９％）,三组术后视力均较术前增加。结论：根据异物的性质、球内位置及并发症采取恰当的手术方式,对于成功取出异物,避免手术并发症非常重要。玻切对于取非磁性异物、嵌入视网膜内异物,及处置异物造成的严重并发症较外路组有明显的优越性     

Management of magnetic intravitreal foreign bodies in 71 eyes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the management of a series of eyes with magnetic intravitreal foreign bodies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective review examined consecutive cases of ocular injury associated with intraocular foreign bodies; 71 eyes included had a single metallic intraocular foreign body (< 5 mm) located in the vitreous cavity removed by external magnet or intraocular forceps. Variables included preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, retinal break formation, retinal detachment, presence of an afferent pupillary defect, intraocular pressure, entrance site, foreign body size, method of extraction, and time between occurrence and surgical extraction. RESULTS: Factors predictive of good visual outcome (visual acuity > 20/200) were: shortest interval between trauma and foreign body extraction, preoperative visual acuity of 20/200 or better, and absence of afferent pupillary defect. CONCLUSIONS: In this nonrandomized study, good visual results could be obtained in eyes undergoing prompt foreign body removal, especially those with good preoperative visual acuity and no afferent pupillary defect.     

Management of subretinal hemorrhage

Subretinal hemorrhage is a vision threatening complication of exudative age related macular degeneration (AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Timely removal or displacement of subretinal hemorrhage from the central macula, ideally within 7 to 10 days after onset, is critical to allowing potential recovery of vision. Surgical techniques with the use of a bubble to displace the subretinal hemorrhage can now be performed with tissue plasminogen activator to lyze the blood and with or without vitrectomy.     

眼部多异物的眼内异物定位法

目的：探索火枪射击所致眼部多发异物X线诊断及定位方法,方法：采用角膜缘缘置银环,拍摄眼眶正、侧位片及薄骨正、侧位片,将两正位片与两侧位片对比测量或重叠测量,应用环影重合后异物也应重合的规律,可迅速准确地作出眼内异物的诊断和定位,并排除了片中多异物的干扰。结果：27例火枪所致眼部多异物伤的患者采用此种方法,迅速准确地作出了眼内异物的诊断和定位,并顺利摘出眼内异物。结论：此方法是判断眼部多异物眼内异物的一种简单易行、迅速可靠的检查方法,值得推广。     

Late spontaneous extrusion of a wooden intraorbital foreign body

Wooden intraorbital foreign body is characteristic for delayed manifestation, silent progression and unpredictable outcome. A silent wooden intraorbital foreign body is difficult to diagnose clinically. Spontaneous expulsion of entire foreign body is rare.     

Management of intra-ocular foreign bodies impacting or embedded in the retina

Purpose: To identify both the clinical features of eyes suffering penetrating ocular injury with intra-ocular foreign bodies (FB) impacting or embedded in the retina and the results of surgical outcome and complication rates. Methods: Thirty-eight consecutive cases of penetrating ocular injuries with intra-ocular FB impacting or embedded in the retina were retrospectively analysed. Results: The FB were metallic in 30 eyes (78.9%; 19 ferromagnetic) and were non-metallic in eight eyes (21.1%). Magnetic extraction was performed in 17 cases (44.7%) and instrumental extraction was performed in 21 cases (55.3%). In two cases, pars plana vitrectomy and FB removal was combined with penetrating keratoplasty, temporary keratoprosthesis and anterior segment reconstruction because of severe explosive injury to the eye. At the final postoperative examination, 32 eyes (84.2%) had completely attached retinas. Visual acuity (VA) improved postoperatively in 18 eyes (47.4%). A final VA of 0.5 or better was achieved in nine of 23 eyes (39.1%) with FB in the peripheral retina and in one of 15 eyes (6.7%) with posterior pole and/or optic nerve head involvement. There was no difference in the final VA regarding the time elapsed between trauma and the removal of the FB. Conclusion: The late anatomical and functional outcome in eyes with penetrating ocular injury and FB impacting or embedded in the retina is mostly uncertain, despite immediate and complex surgery. Final anatomical and functional outcome in the present study was influenced by location and extent of the initial damage to the posterior pole. The time that had elapsed between trauma and removal of the FB did not influence final visual function.     

Management of posterior segment intraocular foreign bodies: 14 years' experience

BACKGROUND: Penetrating ocular injuries with retained posterior segment foreign bodies are challenging cases requiring urgent attention by vitreoretinal surgeons. Posteriorly located injuries can result in serious immediate and delayed vitreoretinal sequelae, such as retinal detachment and endophthalmitis. We report our experience with posterior segment intraocular foreign bodies. METHODS: We reviewed the records of all patients with penetrating ocular injury with retained intraocular foreign bodies treated at a university-based referral practice in Toronto between April 1981 and December 1995. We noted the pre- and postoperative Snellen visual acuity, type and volume of foreign body, diagnostic technique, surgical management, and pre- and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (all male with a mean age of 38 [range 8 to 78] years) were treated during the study period. The length of follow-up ranged from 1 to 118 (mean 20) months. Eighteen patients (44%) experienced a delay in diagnosis or management, or both, of 1 day to 3 years. The rates of retinal detachment and endophthalmitis were 41% (17/41) and 17% (7/41) respectively; culture gave positive results in 5 cases. Two of the eyes required enucleation. A final visual acuity of 6/60 or better was obtained in 33 eyes (80%) and of 6/12 or better in 21 eyes (51%). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that only immediate retinal detachment and the presence of a relative afferent pupillary defect had a significant independent effect on final visual acuity. In our previous series (1971-81) the retinal detachment rate was 14% (4/28), and there were no cases of culture-positive endophthalmitis; final visual acuities of 6/60 or better and of 6/12 or better were obtained in 46% and 32% of the eyes respectively. INTERPRETATION: Reasons for the better outcomes in our more recent series may include improved localization of posterior segment foreign bodies with computed tomography, more frequent intravitreal surgery with improved vitrectomy techniques and the use of the intraocular magnet.