The Effectiveness of Corneal Epithelial Debridement Performed with an Alcohol-Impregnated Sponge

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent corneal surgery with debridement of epithelium by localised application of an alcohol-impregnated sponge instead of the usual alcohol reservoir method.

Design This study retrospectively included 52 eyes of 27 patients who underwent LASEK (laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy) and CXL (cross-linking) surgery after application of this alcohol-assisted debridement method between January 2019 and April 2019.

Participants Twenty-four patients who underwent LASEK and three patients who underwent CXL surgery were included in this study, which comprised a total of 52 eye operations.

Methods Epithelial debridement was performed after placing a 20% ethanol-impregnated sponge on the cornea for 20 seconds.

Results The mean pachymetry value was 509.40 ± 30.37 µm, the mean preoperative spherical equivalent was − 2.14 ± 1.02 dioptres, and the highest myopia and astigmatism values were − 4.25 dioptres and − 2.75 dioptres, respectively. It was seen that the corneal epithelium was completely and easily debrided in a size identical to that of the applied sponge.

Conclusions Complete debridement of the corneal epithelium can be performed quickly, safely, and easily with this specially prepared sponge.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel Bewertung der klinischen Ergebnisse von Patienten, bei denen Hornhautoperationen mit Wundausschneidung des Epithels durch lokalisierte Anwendung eines alkoholimprägnierten Schwamms anstelle der üblichen Methode des Alkoholreservoirs durchgeführt wurden.

Design Diese Studie umfasste retrospektiv 52 Augen von 27 Patienten, die sich nach Anwendung dieser alkoholunterstützten Wundausschneidungsmethode zwischen Januar 2019 und April 2019 einer LASEK- und CXL-Operation unterzogen hatten.

Teilnehmer 24 Patienten, bei denen eine LASEK (laserunterstützte subepitheliale Keratektomie) durchgeführt wurde, und 3 Patienten, bei denen eine CXL-Operation (Vernetzung) durchgeführt wurde, wurden in diese Studie, die insgesamt 52 Augenoperationen umfasste, eingeschlossen.

Methodik Die Wundausschneidung wurde durchgeführt, indem dieses Material nach Imprägnierung mit 20% Ethanol auf die Hornhaut gelegt wurde.

Ergebnisse Der mittlere Pachymetriewert betrug 509,40 ± 30,37 µm, das mittlere präoperative sphärische Äquivalent betrug − 2,14 ± 1,02 Dioptrien und die höchsten Myopie- und Astigmatismuswerte betrugen jeweils − 4,25 und − 2,75 Dioptrien. Es wurde beobachtet, dass das Hornhautepithel in einer Größe, die mit der des aufgebrachten Schwamms identisch war, vollständig und leicht gereinigt wurde.

Schlussfolgerungen Mit diesem speziell vorbereiteten Schwamm kann das Hornhautepithel schnell, sicher, vollständig und einfach gereinigt werden.

Highlights

• Many surgeons perform alcohol-assisted debridement with reservoir cones containing 20% ethanol dilutions, which can spill out.

• Using an alcohol-impregnated sponge instead of alcohol cone does not require manual pressure over the ocular globe.

• It has been observed that the corneal epithelium can be debrided in a circular, complete, fast and easy manner with specially prepared circular material.

• The histological changes in the limbus and conjunctiva should be examined to prove that alcohol is in contact less and the toxic effects of alcohol can be reduced with this method.

Key words

alcohol-impregnated sponge - cornea - debridement - laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy - pachymetry

Schlüsselwörter

alkoholimprägnierter Schwamm - Hornhaut - Débridement - laserunterstützte subepitheliale Keratektomie - Pachymetrie

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 27. Juli 2020

Angenommen: 29. Oktober 2020

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
17. März 2021

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