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Electrosurgical device performs capsulorrhexis in difficult cases
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LISBON, Portugal — A plasma knife appears to be a useful tool for performing capsulorrhexis in eyes with congenital, post-traumatic or mature cataracts and in pseudoexfoliation syndrome, according to a presenter here.
Siegfried Priglinger, MD, described the use of the Pulsed Electron Avalanche Knife fine-cutting (PEAK-fc) for capsulorrhexis in difficult cases here at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.
“The device allows precise ‘cold’ and traction-free dissection of tissue in a liquid medium,” Dr. Priglinger said. “The probe performs a precise, selective cut, gently moving on the surface of the lens at a speed of 1 mm per second. There is absolutely no pressure on the lens, no stress on the zonules or damage to the surrounding tissue,” he said.
The device was clinically tested in five children with congenital cataract, six patients with mature cataracts, three post-traumatic eyes with zonulolysis and three patients with uveitis and posterior iris synechiae.
“In one case the iris was completely attached to the lens capsule, and in spite of several attempts we had been unable to loosen it with conventional instruments. With PEAK-fc, we were able to release it with no collateral damage,” Dr. Priglinger said.
He added that the same device was used to remove heavy anterior capsular opacification in two patients.
“The opacification was thoroughly removed with the help of forceps, with easy, gentle maneuvers,” Dr. Priglinger said.