title: Evaluation of a tapered, blunt, bipolar cautery tip for trabeculectomy.
abstract: A bipolar cautery instrument with a tapered, blunt tip has been developed for glaucoma filtering surgery. Evaluated in 30 consecutive trabeculectomy procedures, the instrument proved suitable for all aspects of the operation. The narrow, 23-gauge shaft and tapered, blunt tip allowed gentle, pin-point coagulation of individual bleeders, as well as cauterization of tracks of tissue in a continuous motion. The unit was effective for external cauterization of conjunctival and scleral vessels, as well as for internal cauterization of anterior uveal tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Shields
mesh_terms: D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000098:blood supply; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery*; D006487:Hemostasis; D006801:Humans; D012590:Sclera / Q000098:blood supply; D014130:Trabeculectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014602:Uvea / Q000098:blood supply