Weight effect of saline accumulation in surgical drapes.
BACKGROUND
Positive vitreal pressure during phacoemulsification is a known risk factor for posterior capsule rupture. Knowledge of modifiable causes of positive vitreal pressure is imperative to aid in its management intraoperatively. The aim of our study was to determine whether the weight from the accumulation of a large volume of saline in the surgical drapes could have an effect on intraocular pressure in patients. Such an effect could indicate a source of posterior vitreal pressure in patients undergoing prolonged phacoemulsification.


METHODS
In 23 adult patients undergoing phacoemulsification at the Jones Eye Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, intraocular pressure readings were taken before and after the addition of 500 cc of saline to the surgical drapes and taken again after removal of the saline.


RESULTS
Statistically significant differences in intraocular pressure were found between the baseline measurement, the measurement with saline, and the measurement after saline removal. No differences in the rise in intraocular pressure were found according to age, race, sex, or which eye was tested.


CONCLUSIONS
Accumulation of a large volume of saline in surgical drapes has a modest effect on intraocular pressure. This may indicate a contributing cause of posterior vitreal pressure during prolonged phacoemulsification.
Wiggins
Michael N
MN
Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205-7199, USA. wigginsmichael@uams.edu
Thostenson
Jeff D
JD
D000042:Absorption; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods; D014822:Vitreous Body; D014894:Weights and Measures
D012965:Sodium Chloride