Interrupted sutures at the hinge site to manage a free flap during laser in situ keratomileusis.
Two patients developed free flaps intraoperatively during laser in situ keratomileusis. After excimer laser treatment was performed, the free flap was replaced, maintaining proper alignment. Interrupted sutures were placed superiorly at the intended hinge site to secure the free flap. The uncorrected visual acuity was 20/30 in the affected eyes of both patients after treatment. At the 6-month follow-up, there were no flap-related complications and there was no loss of best corrected visual acuity.
Sankara Nethralaya, Medical and Vision Research Foundations, Chennai, India. fogla@eth.net
Rajesh
R
Fogla
Prema
P
Padmanabhan
D000328:Adult; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014792:Visual Acuity