title: Long-term histologic and electrophysiologic evaluation of the alloy retinal tack.
abstract: The retinal tack is a useful adjunctive instrument in the repair of complicated retinal detachments. To examine the tissue response of chronically implanted alloy tacks, we implanted a series of tacks into rabbit eyes. Their effects were observed at 1 and 4 weeks, at 6 months, and at 2.5 years after insertion. Our observations indicate that the histology and electrophysiology of the retina was generally not affected. All tacks were surrounded by connective and/or glial tissue scar and induced firm retinal adherence. The retinal architecture was normal within 1 mm of the scar, indicating that these alloy tacks do not cause tissue damage outside the immediate area of the wound, even when left in place over a period of 2 years.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Eye Center, Durham, NC 27710.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ohira
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: de Juan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000497:Alloys; D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D001858:Bone Nails; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011817:Rabbits; D012160:Retina / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013528:Surgical Staplers
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys