Korean J Ophthalmol.  2019 Feb;33(1):8-15. 10.3341/kjo.2018.0093.

Evaluation of Subconjunctival Remnant Particles after High-frequency Radio-wave Electrosurgery for Conjunctivochalasis

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. sashimi0@naver.com

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate the clinical manifestations and properties of remnant particles in the subconjunctival space after high-frequency radio-wave electrosurgery for conjunctivochalasis.
METHODS
We performed a retrospective, observational case series with in vitro experimental imaging in nine eyes from eight patients who presented with small dark-gray lesions during follow-up after high-frequency radio-wave electrosurgery for conjunctivochalasis. General examination including slit-lamp examination and visual acuity testing was performed preoperatively and postoperatively. During follow-up, we evaluated remnant particles and any other complications including granuloma or conjunctival injection with slit-lamp photography and anterior optical coherence tomography. Coagulation tips were investigated with scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to analyze the insulating electrode and assess changes to tips after repeated use.
RESULTS
None of the patients included in this study experienced any change in visual acuity or major complications postoperatively. Small dark-gray lesions (0.3 to 0.5 mm in size) were observed in the inferior bulbar sub-conjunctival space in the location where high-frequency radio-wave electrosurgery had been performed. Cirrus high-definition optical coherence tomography images revealed focal hyper-reflection with a posterior shadow, suggesting foreign particles. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy imaging analysis revealed peaks of carbon and fluorine complexes, consistent with the polytetrafluoroethylene coating on the electrode.
CONCLUSIONS
There were no instances of inflammatory reaction, particle migration, or major complications due to particles. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of remnant polytetrafluoroethylene particles in subconjunctival tissue when using insulated coagulation tips subjected to repeat sterilization.

Keyword

Conjunctivochalasis; High-definition optical coherence tomography; High-frequency radio-wave electrosurgery; Polytetrafluoroethylene

MeSH Terms

Carbon
Electrodes
Electrosurgery*
Fluorine
Follow-Up Studies
Granuloma
Humans
In Vitro Techniques
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Photography
Polytetrafluoroethylene
Retrospective Studies
Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission
Sterilization
Tomography, Optical Coherence
Visual Acuity
Carbon
Fluorine
Polytetrafluoroethylene

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Slit-lamp photographs of a dark-gray lesion at the inferior bulbar conjunctiva (arrow) observed in a 63-year-old woman. No observed changes were observed in the lesion 3 months after surgery: (A,B) 1 month postoperatively and (C,D) 3 months postoperatively.

  • Fig. 2 Slit-lamp photographs of a dark-gray lesion at the inferior bulbar conjunctiva (arrow) observed in a 67-year-old woman. No observed changes were observed in the lesion 3 months after surgery: (A,B) 1 month postoperatively; (C,D) 3 months postoperatively.

  • Fig. 3 Slit-lamp photographs of a 57-year-old man. One month after surgery, several tiny dark-gray lesions at nasal and temporal conjunctiva (arrow) were observed: 1 month postoperatively (A) at the nasal conjunctiva and (B) at the temporal conjunctiva.

  • Fig. 4 High-definition optical coherence tomography images of a 63-year-old woman (right eye). Three months postoperatively, high-definition optical coherence tomography image showed a focal hyper-reflection with posterior shadowing (arrow) in the subconjunctival area.

  • Fig. 5 Scanning electron microscopy images of the shaft of an insulated tip. (A,B) A new insulated fine-needle electrode. (C,D) A partially damaged insulated surface after a single use. (E,F) A severely damaged insulated surface after multiple uses. A large polytetrafluoroethylene particle peeling away from the shaft was noted (arrow) (scanning electron microscope, ×200, ×500).

  • Fig. 6 Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy spectrum (EDS) images of the shaft of an insulated tip: (A) SEM image (×1,000) of the tip without insulation. (B) EDS image of the tip showing a prominent peak for wolframium (W) as well as other associated elements, including carbon (C) and oxygen (O). (C) SEM image (×1,000) of the insulated shaft. (D) EDS image of the shaft showing a prominent peak for fluorine (F) as well as for other associated elements, including C, O, and W. W = wolframium; C = carbon; O = oxygen; F = fluorine; Wt% = weight percent; At% = atomic percent; ZAF = ZAF corrections.


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