Retinal microvascular surgery: a feasibility study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of microvascular surgery at the level of the retinal vasculature.


METHODS
Porcine eyes were used, and eyecups were prepared under an operating microscope. Several classic microvascular maneuvers were explored, such as vascular puncturing, catheterization, mobilization, intravascular injections, and various combinations of the same. Instruments used ranged from disposable 30-gauge needles to an Er:YAG laser. Commercially available 10-0 nylon sutures, fine polyimide tubes, and custom-made fine glass tubes were used for vascular catheterization.


RESULTS
Puncturing, mobilization, catheterization, and intravascular injection of retinal arteries and veins were possible. The connection of two remote retinal vessels with a fine tube was also achieved with the combination of these maneuvers.


CONCLUSIONS
The feasibility of performing several microvascular maneuvers on retinal arteries and veins was demonstrated in porcine eyes. Further experimentation and development of these findings in a living animal model could lead to the development of such microvascular maneuvers in humans.
Tsilimbaris
Miltiadis K
MK
Retina Service of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
Lit
Eugene S
ES
D'Amico
Donald J
DJ
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D007267:Injections / Q000379:methods; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000601:surgery*; D013552:Swine