Abstract
Purpose::
The general purpose of this study was to develop and describe the use of a new device for enucleation. The specific objective was to achieve a long optic nerve stump (at least 10mm in length) during enucleation.
Methods::
The instrument patent process was sponsored by NUPI (Intelectual Property Nucleus) in partnership with UNIFESP (Federal University of São Paulo)/ SDPM (Society for Medicine Development). The legal and technical aspects of the instrument creation were accessorized by a patent office. The instrument patent registry was deposited in December/ 2005 (PI 0506204-7).The instrument prototype was produced by an engineer in conjunction with the inventor. The prototype consists in a steel device made in two sizes in order to attend adults and children. The instrument is constituted by a couple of connectable arms that are introduced in orbital cavity after the globe is freed from extraocular muscles and Tenon’s capsule. Each arm has a plaque in its final edge, measuring 10mm that obligates the surgeon to cut the nerve in adequate length.
Results::
At present, ten enucleations were performed by an only surgeon (VLT). In all cases the instrument has allowed the globe luxation from the orbital cavity and has promoted a good vision of orbital tissue surrounding the globe. The plaque attached to the instrument edge facilitated the optic nerve cutting. All the cases present more than 10mm optic nerve stump in length, with a mean of 13,5mm.
Conclusions::
In this sample the instrument was capable to allow visualization and division of the optic nerve while protecting the nearby orbital structures. In all the cases a long optic nerve stump was obtained.
Keywords: tumors • orbit • pathology techniques