Recognition and management of internal wound gape. 1995

H V Gimbel, and R Sun, and B M DeBroff
Gimbel Eye Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

We describe a method for recognizing and managing wound gape of the internal aspect of a scleral tunnel incision. The apposition of the cataract internal incision can be adequately assessed with the use of a gonioprism during and after surgery. With self-sealing tunnel incisions, even though the external incision may be well sealed either with or without the use of a suture, the internal incision may be inconspicuously gaping. When an internal incision gapes open, it takes on the appearance of an elongated oval opening by gonioscopy, a process we have termed fishmouthing. Often fishmouthing can be closed by rapidly deepening the anterior chamber with balanced salt solution through the paracentesis incision; if this is unsuccessful, a limbal suture may be required. Assessment of the internal incision with a gonioprism and management of internal incision fishmouthing is an important method to ensure wound stability and minimize surgically induced astigmatism.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011183 Postoperative Complications Pathologic processes that affect patients after a surgical procedure. They may or may not be related to the disease for which the surgery was done, and they may or may not be direct results of the surgery. Complication, Postoperative,Complications, Postoperative,Postoperative Complication
D002387 Cataract Extraction The removal of a cataractous CRYSTALLINE LENS from the eye. Enzymatic Zonulolysis,Phakectomy,Cataract Extractions,Enzymatic Zonulolyses,Extraction, Cataract,Extractions, Cataract,Phakectomies,Zonulolyses, Enzymatic,Zonulolysis, Enzymatic
D006068 Gonioscopy Examination of the angle of the anterior chamber of the eye with a specialized optical instrument (gonioscope) or a contact prism lens. Gonioscopies
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000867 Anterior Chamber The space in the eye, filled with aqueous humor, bounded anteriorly by the cornea and a small portion of the sclera and posteriorly by a small portion of the ciliary body, the iris, and that part of the crystalline lens which presents through the pupil. (Cline et al., Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed, p109) Anterior Chambers,Chamber, Anterior,Chambers, Anterior
D012590 Sclera The white, opaque, fibrous, outer tunic of the eyeball, covering it entirely excepting the segment covered anteriorly by the cornea. It is essentially avascular but contains apertures for vessels, lymphatics, and nerves. It receives the tendons of insertion of the extraocular muscles and at the corneoscleral junction contains the CANAL OF SCHLEMM. (From Cline et al., Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed) Scleral Spur,Scleral Spurs,Scleras
D013529 Surgical Wound Dehiscence Pathologic process consisting of a partial or complete disruption of the layers of a surgical wound. Dehiscence, Surgical Wound,Wound Dehiscence, Surgical
D013536 Suture Techniques Techniques for securing together the edges of a wound, with loops of thread or similar materials (SUTURES). Suture Technics,Suture Technic,Suture Technique,Technic, Suture,Technics, Suture,Technique, Suture,Techniques, Suture
D014945 Wound Healing Restoration of integrity to traumatized tissue. Healing, Wound,Healings, Wound,Wound Healings

Related Publications

H V Gimbel, and R Sun, and B M DeBroff
September 1995, Journal of cataract and refractive surgery,
H V Gimbel, and R Sun, and B M DeBroff
January 1992, Refractive & corneal surgery,
H V Gimbel, and R Sun, and B M DeBroff
November 1992, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science,
H V Gimbel, and R Sun, and B M DeBroff
April 1955, The Surgical clinics of North America,
H V Gimbel, and R Sun, and B M DeBroff
January 1994, European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery,
H V Gimbel, and R Sun, and B M DeBroff
September 1996, Dental economics - oral hygiene,
H V Gimbel, and R Sun, and B M DeBroff
September 2004, Journal of oral rehabilitation,
Copied contents to your clipboard!