A new sponge profile for retinal detachment surgery: design and in vitro-effectiveness.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a new, calculated design for episcleral sponges to achieve sufficient indentation under avoidance of form related side effects.


METHODS
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).


RESULTS
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Scholda
C
C
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Medical School, Allgemeines Krankenhaus, Austria. christoph.scholda@akh-wien.ac.at
Biowski
R
R
Simader
C
C
Hauff
W
W
Kaminski
S
S
Lakits
A
A
D000818:Animals; D004867:Equipment Design; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D012591:Scleral Buckling / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D015503:Surgical Sponges; D013552:Swine; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
D012826:Silicone Elastomers