A new sponge profile for retinal detachment surgery, design and in vitro‐effectiveness

• Published in: Acta ophthalmologica Scandinavica Vol. 77; no. 6; pp. 700 - 703
• Main Authors: Scholda, Christoph, Biowski, Robert, Simader, Christian, Hauff, Wolfgang, Kaminski, Stefan, Lakits, Adalbert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Copenhagen, DK Munksgaard International Publishers 01.12.1999
• Subjects: Animals; Equipment Design; In Vitro Techniques; Retinal Detachment - diagnostic imaging; Retinal Detachment - surgery; Scleral Buckling - instrumentation; Silicone Elastomers; Surgical Sponges; Swine; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 1395-3907; 1600-0420
• DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0420.1999.770620.x

To develop a new, calculated design for episcleral sponges to achieve sufficient indentation under avoidance of form related side effects. The new sponge profile consists of two convex halves with different radii, with a calculated optimum relation between inner and outer radius. It was tested on pig eyes and compared with round and half cut sponges. The height of the intraocular buckle was determined by ultrasound (A-Scan, Biovision V Plus), the extraocular height using ultrasound biomicroscopy (Humphrey Biomicroscope System Model 840). The buckle height achieved with the new design showed no significant difference to round sponges, whereas the extrascleral height was significantly lower compared to round sponges (p<0.001). Half cut sponges showed significantly less buckle height compared to round sponges (p<0.001) and to the new design (p<0.02). The new design produces sufficient indentation combined with minor change of the outer globe contour. It has the potential to be as efficient as conventional round sponges, but more tolerable for the patient by reduction of form related side effects.