Dry heat sterilization of ophthalmic instruments using a commercially available convection broiler

This study is proposed as an alternative method of sterilization in developing countries Purpose: To determine the efficacy of using a commercially available convection broiler in sterilization of ophthalmic surgical instruments Methods: Surgical ophthalmic instruments were contaminated artificially with Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Aspergillus. The instruments were subjected to heat sterilization using the convection broiler at different temperature settings. After which, the instruments were cultured with appropriate media to determine contamination Results: 15 minutes heat sterilization at 260 degrees centigrade was enough to sterilize the contaminated ophthalmic surgical instruments Conclusion: Heat sterilization using a convection broiler provide a cheaper yet effective method of sterilization. (Author)

Wound strength of experimental corneal perforations sealed with fibrin glue in cadaver porcine eyes

Objectives: This is a study to determine the relative wound strength of a commercial fibrin tissue adhesive (Beriplast P, Aventis Behring) compared to 10-0 nylon sutures in sealing experimentally induced corneal perforations in cadaver porcine eyes. Methodology: Single Blind Completely Randomized Design. Sixty freshly enucleatedporcine eyes with an average corneal diameter of 11.5 mm were used. These were randomly allocated into the 3.2 mm perforation group (n = 30) and the 5.2 mm perforation group (n = 30). All perforations were made perpendicular to the corneal surface with a standard preset metal keratome at the central portion of the cornea. Fifteen corneal perforations in each group were again randomly sealed with either interrupted nylon 10-0 sutures or Beriplast P (65-115 mg/mL). Intraocular pressure was raised by injecting normal saline into the anterior chamber and determined by a manometer attached to it. The presealing and postsealing leaking pressures were recorded. Wound leak was determined by Seidels test Results: The mean leaking pressure of the 3.2 mm group sealed with nylon suture was 237.47 mm Hg and 237.33 mm Hg for those sealed with fibrin tissue adhesive. The mean leaking pressures of the 5.2-mm group was 1984 mm Hg for both sealing techniques. The difference in leakingpressures of both sealing techniques was not significant using a power of 80 percent to detect a difference of 30 mm Hg Conclusion: The wound strength of corneal perforations sealed with fibrin tissue adhesive, as measured by the leaking pressures, is comparable to that of those sealed with nylon 10-0 sutures in cadaveric porcine eyes. (Author)