Calibration of trephine blade depth.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the accuracy and precision of the Barron radial vacuum trephine as an instrument for corneal lamellar dissection.


METHODS
We describe a practical method to calibrate individual trephines prior to lamellar corneal procedures using the calibration microscope designed for diamond knives.


RESULTS
We observed that one turn (360 degrees) of the trephine produced a mean blade displacement of 0.25 mm. However, individual trephines demonstrated a significant range of variability.


CONCLUSIONS
For highly accurate trephination, it is useful to calibrate each individual trephine using the calibration microscope.
Schor
P
P
Federal University of Sao Paulo, Paulista School of Medicine.
Rocha
E
E
Cheema
D P
DP
Miller
D
D
D002138:Calibration; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007646:Keratotomy, Radial / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000592:standards*