J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2012 Nov;53(11):1571-1576.

The Effect of Conjunctivochalasis Surgery Using a High-Frequency Radio-Wave Electrosurgical Unit

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul Veterans Hospital, Seoul, Korea. drskchoi@hanmail.net

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the effects of conjunctivochalasis surgery using a high-frequency radio-wave electrosurgical unit.
METHODS
Twenty-seven eyes of 14 patients with conjuctivochalasis who received surgeries with shrinkage of the inferior bulbar conjunctiva using a high-frequency radio-wave electrosurgical unit (Ellman surgitron(R)) were evaluated. Conjuctivochalasis grade, the ocular symptoms, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear film break-up time (BUT), Schirmer test, and corneal staining with fluorescein were measured preoperatively, at 3 months postoperatively, and analyzed prospectively.
RESULTS
Three months after the surgery, all patients' conjunctivochalasis became grade 0, and the ocular symptoms, OSDI score, BUT, and corneal staining with fluorerscein were also improved. Additionally, there were no specific complications during the follow-up period.
CONCLUSIONS
Conjunctivochalasis surgery using a high-frequency radio-wave electrosurgical unit produced an effective improvement in conjuctivochalasis grade and symptoms and appeared to be a simple and safe procedure.

Keyword

Conjunctivochalasis; High-frequency radio-wave electrosurgical unit

MeSH Terms

Conjunctiva
Eye
Fluorescein
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Tears
Fluorescein

Figure

  • Figure 1 Conjunctivochalasis surgery using high frequency radio wave electrosurgical unit. (A) The redundant inferior bulbar conjunctiva was grabbed and estimated with smooth forcep. (B) A fine-needle electrode was located within subconjunctiva in a horizontal direction. (C) Subconjunctival coagulation was made (arrow). (D) On average, 6 to 8 subconjunctival coagulations were made.

  • Figure 2 Schematic presentation of conjunctivochalasis surgery (e.g. right eye). Six points were designated for subconjunctival coagulation (gray spot).

  • Figure 3 A representative case of conjunctivochalasis surgery. (A, B) A 81-year-old man. Preoperative appearance. (C, D) One week after surgery. (E, F) One month after surgery.


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