title: Intraoperative breakage of 20-gauge Tano forceps.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report three cases with breakage of a 20-gauge kryptonite forceps during vitreoretinal surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interventional case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pars plana vitrectomy that included a membrane peeling was performed in three patients through standard ports with 20-gauge vitrectomy systems. The peeling procedure was attempted with the end-gripping kryptonite forceps.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intraoperatively, the branch/tip broke and dropped onto the posterior pole. Removal of the broken part was uncomplicated, and the subsequent clinical course was unremarkable. In one case, the handle and branch/tip part were exchanged inadvertently. In the other two cases, neither an exchange nor a maladaptation of the parts was noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An exchange of the hand piece and gripping end may increase the risk of breakage and retinal damage. The delicate gripping tips, however, may break because of inadequate maintenance and/or aging of the material. Intraoperative visual and functional examination is recommended before intraocular use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology I, Division of Vitreoretinal Surgery, Eberhard-Karls University of Tuebingen, Schleichstrasse 12-16, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Karl U
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Bartz-Schmidt
authors.forename: Ihab
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: El-Araj
authors.forename: Faik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gelisken
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reinthal
authors.forename: Focke
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ziemssen
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Eter
authors.forename: Frank G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Holz
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grisanti
mesh_terms: D019773:Epiretinal Membrane / Q000601:surgery; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005129:Eye Foreign Bodies / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014821:Vitrectomy
chemical_list: D008670:Metals