Corneal cut closure using temperature-controlled CO2 laser soldering system.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Veterinary Surgery

Background:

• Corneal perforations pose significant challenges in ophthalmic surgery.
• Current repair methods, such as suturing, can be time-consuming and may lead to complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of temperature-controlled laser soldering for repairing large corneal perforations.
• To compare laser soldering with traditional suturing techniques in a porcine model.

Main Methods:

• Large corneal perforations (6-mm-deep, 180° crescent-shaped trephination) were created in Yorkshire pigs.
• Corneal injuries were repaired using CO2 laser soldering with bovine albumin or 10/0 nylon sutures.
• Operative time, leakage, and histopathological findings were assessed and compared between groups.

Main Results:

• Laser soldering significantly reduced operative time compared to sutures (31.57 min vs. 41.38 min).
• Laser-soldered corneas exhibited reduced neovascularization, complete re-epithelialization, and mild stromal inflammation.
• No leakage was observed in either the laser-soldered or sutured groups.

Conclusions:

• Temperature-controlled CO2 laser soldering, combined with a radiometer, is an effective method for in vivo corneal repair.
• This technique demonstrates advantages over traditional suturing, including reduced operative time and improved tissue healing.
• Further clinical studies are warranted to translate these findings into human corneal surgery.