title: Intraoperative management of partial flap during LASIK: a small case series report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the intraoperative management of incomplete microkeratome LASIK flaps.
  
  
  METHODS
  Small, retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five outpatients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 5 eyes of 5 patients, the premature stop of the microkeratome resulting from mechanical obstacles resulted in an incomplete flap that would not allow for the completion of the LASIK procedure. After the careful realignment of the partial flaps and the removal of the identified obstacles, the second pass of the microkeratome resulted in flaps of the intended size.
  
  
  METHODS
  Final creation of a flap as intended, completion of the procedure, and visual and refractive outcome of the operative eyes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The second pass of the microkeratome resulted in flaps as planned. All the procedures were completed, and the operative eyes that were followed up for at least 3 months had excellent visual and refractive results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The second pass of the microkeratome can successfully manage incomplete flaps resulting from microkeratome premature stop as a result of mechanical obstacles.
authors.affiliation: Vardinoyiannion Eye Institute of Crete, University of Crete School of Medicine, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Vikentia J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Katsanevaki
authors.forename: Nikolaos S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Tsiklis
authors.forename: Nikolaos I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Astyrakakis
authors.forename: Ioannis G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Pallikaris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000209:etiology; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014792:Visual Acuity