Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate and compare the sucction force of 20-, 23- and 25-gauge vitrectomy probes and soft-tip cannulas.
Methods: :
The present study was executed in an experimental laboratory setting. Each of the instruments (Alcon, Ft. Worth, TX) was connected to a vaccum pump at one side and their tips faced a small weight above a precision scale. The vaccum pressure was raised until the weight was lifted. This was repeated for several weights of growing values. The results were noted and plotted in graphs.
Results: :
Each of the instruments was tested for five times. Vaccum levels ranged from 0 to 600 mmHg. 20-gauge instruments showed higher results, in average, compared to the 23- and 25-gauge ones.
Conclusions: :
Both 23- and 25- gauge cannulas showed smaller lifting forces, compared to 20-gauge system, owing to their smaller tips diameter (smaller sucction area). This should be useful for retinal surgeons on occasions in which these instruments are used to lift solid objects (like the posterior hyaloid and blood clots).
Keywords: vitreoretinal surgery • vitreous