title: High-frequency electric welding: a novel method for improved immediate chorioretinal adhesion in vitreoretinal surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate high-frequency electric welding (HFEW) as a novel technique for retinopexy with improved immediate chorioretinal adhesion
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective, randomized, experimental study, we examined 104 eyes of 52 rabbits randomly assigned to either standard 810 nm endolaser retinopexy, alternating current 14-16 V or 18-20 V HFEW retinopexy. A full-thickness fragment of eye wall tissue containing the retinopexy was isolated 1 h, 3 days, 1 week, or 1 month respectively after the intervention, and fixed to an analytical electronic scale. A nylon suture passed through the retina was elevated by a biomechanical force elongation tester. The reduction in weight at the time of retinopexy rupture was registered as a measure for retinopexy adhesion strength.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hour post-exposure, adhesive strengths were significantly higher in both HFEW groups than in controls (212 ± 26.6 mg and 122 ± 16 mg vs 104 ± 10 mg; p = 0.0001 and p = 0.024 respectively) while laser retinopexy did not significantly change adhesive strength (114 ± 14.0 mg, p = 0.149). Subsequent adhesive strengths were significantly increased for all retinopexy techniques: 3 days post-op 14-16 V HFEW 224 ± 30.0 mg (p = 0.001), 18-20 V HFEW 128 ± 15.6 (p = 0.001), laser 131 ± 12.7 mg (p = 0.0007); at 1 week 14-16 HFEW 235 ± 24.7 mg, 18-20 V HFEW 213 ± 22.4 mg, laser 188 ± 18.7 mg (all p ≤ 0.001); 1 month post-op 14-16 V HFEW 275 ± 32.0 mg, 18-20 V HFEW 283 ± 31.0 mg, laser 276 ± 21.7 mg, rspectively (all p ≤  0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HFEW represents a novel technique for retinopexy during vitreoretinal surgery. It allows firm chorioretinal adhesion immediately after exposure. In non-vitrectomized eyes, using 14-16 V is particularly effective.
authors.affiliation: The Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy AMS of Ukraine, Frantsuzkyi Boulevard 49/51, Odessa, 65061, Ukraine.
authors.forename: Nicolay
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Umanets
authors.forename: Natalya V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Pasyechnikova
authors.forename: Vladimir A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Naumenko
authors.forename: Paul B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Henrich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011817:Rabbits; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000601:surgery*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions; D057586:Vitreoretinal Surgery / Q000379:methods