Abstract
Purpose::
To evaluate laser soldering as an alternative for reattaching conjunctival wound.
Methods::
Conjunctival incisions of ex-vivo farm pigs were laser soldered using a temperature controlled fiberoptic diode laser system and an albumin containing ICG as a solder. Fifty five eyes were used for the determination of the optimal parameters which led to conjunctival wound closure of maximum strength. These parameters were used when attaching a fornix conjunctival incision of 8 mm long in 20 exanterated pig eyes. Five eyes were used as a control and the same wound was closed with 10-0 nylon running suture. Wound strength was measured as leak pressure of the sealed wound. The procedure times were recorded for both laser soldering and for standard suturing.
Results::
The optimal results of wound binding by laser soldering were achieved by using a flexible albumin strip of thickness 0.55mm in which the ICG concentration was 0.7mg/g. This strip was bonded to the conjunctiva using laser heating to temperatures 50°C - 60°C. The mean leak pressure in the laser soldered eyes was found to be 131.78mmHg as compared to 3.53mmHg in the sutured eyes. The mean procedure times were 5.13 minutes for laser soldering and 14.60 minutes for standard suturing.
Conclusions::
These preliminary results clearly demonstrate that laser soldering, using a flexible albumin / ICG strip, may be a useful method for achieving an immediate watertight conjunctival wound closure. The procedure is in principle faster and easier to apply.
Keywords: conjunctiva • laser