Conjunctival wound closure by saline injection in sutureless, scleral tunnel incision phacoemulsification.
OBJECTIVE
To compare two methods of conjunctival closure in phacoemulsification.


METHODS
Frimley Park Hospital NHS Trust, Surrey, England.


METHODS
This prospective, randomized study comprised 40 patients (40 eyes) who had phacoemulsification via superior axis scleral tunnels and implantation of a poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lens with a 5.5 mm optic diameter. In 24 eyes, the conjunctival wound was closed manually with a Moorfields forceps (Group A). In 16, 0.5 ml of balanced salt solution was injected subconjunctivally to reappose the conjunctival wound (Group B). Conjunctival reapposition was assessed by measuring the maximum radial distance of bare sclera preoperatively and during outpatient clinic visits at 1, 7, and 28 days postoperatively.


RESULTS
Follow-up was obtained on 38 eyes. One day after surgery, total wound closure was achieved in 15 of 16 eyes in Group B; however, closure was still incomplete in 13 of 22 Group A eyes. At 7 days postoperatively, the size of the conjunctival wound remained significantly smaller in Group B eyes (P < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
The saline injection produced a faster rate of conjunctival wound closure than standard manual reapposition.
Meacock
W R
WR
Frimley Park Hospital NHS Trust, Camberley, Surrey, England.
Chittenden
H
H
Govan
J
J
D000368:Aged; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012590:Sclera / Q000601:surgery*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014945:Wound Healing
D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D012965:Sodium Chloride