ABSTRACT
A new synthetic absorbable suture for ophthalmic surgery--glycolactide--was proved superior to chromic collagen in rupture strength and more predictable absorption time in laboratory and clinical studies. The 8-0 glycolactide showed 30% greater initial strength than 8-0 chromic collagen. One week after implantation in rabbit corneas, the glycolactide retained over 90% of its initial rupture strength, while chromic collagen had lost nearly 50% of its strength. After ten days the strength of the glycolactide fell rapidly. By day 21 it began to be absorbed, completely disappearing by seven weeks. Chromic collagen tended to remain in situ longer, although possessing negligible rupture strength. The two materials were compared in suturing comeoscleral wounds of 45 consecutive patients undergoing routine cataract operation. The glycolactide began to disappear only after the fourth week, completely disappearing after nine weeks. Chromic collagen was more variable, some sutures disappearing as early as the third week, while others remained in place for over 20 weeks. Neither suture material excited reaction in the eyes, and the incidence of complications was low.
Subject(s)
Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures , Polymers , Sutures , Absorption , Animals , Cataract Extraction , Collagen , Conjunctiva/surgery , Cornea/surgery , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Humans , Microsurgery , RabbitsABSTRACT
A new synthetic absorbable suture, a copolymer of two simple hydroxy acids, glycolic acid and lactic acid, was evaluated in a laboratory and clinical study for its usefulness in ophthalmic surgery. The glycolactide was compared with chromic collagen of similar size. The 8/0 glycolactide showed 30% greater initial strength than 8/0 chromic collagen. Following implantation of the suture in rabbit corneas, the suture was removed at intervals and its rupture strength tested. At the end of 1 week the glycolactide retined over 90% of its initial rupture strength while chromic collagen had lost nearly 50% of its strength. After 10 days the strength of the glycolactide tended to fall rapidly and by day 21 the suture had negligible strength and began to absorb, completely disappearing by 7 weeks. Chromic collagen tended to remain in situ for many weeks although possessing negligible rupture strength. The 8/0 glycolactide was compared with 8/0 chromic collagen in suturing corneoscleral wounds of 45 consecutive patients undergoing routine cataract surgery. Handling qualities were judged and the eyes followed post-operatively to ascertain reaction to the sutures and time of final disappearance of the sutures from the eyes. The glycolactide showed no tendency to disappear from the wounds until after the fourth week. By the end of 9 weeks all the glycolactide sutures had disappeared. Chromic collagen, on the other hand, was more variable, some sutures disappearing as early as the third week while others remained in place essentially unchanged for more than 20 weeks. Neither glycolactide nor chromic collagen showed any tendency to excite reaction in the eyes and the incidence of complications was low.
Subject(s)
Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures , Sutures , Absorption , Animals , Anterior Chamber/surgery , Cataract Extraction , Conjunctiva/surgery , Cornea/surgery , Foreign-Body Reaction/etiology , Glycolates , Humans , Lactates , Microsurgery , Polymers , Postoperative Complications/etiology , Rabbits , Surgical Wound Dehiscence/etiology , Tensile Strength , Wound HealingABSTRACT
Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), an active narcotic principle of marijuana, was solubilized and administered intravenously to two male volunteers. Changes in intraocular pressure were recorded and compared to changes in the cortical effects of THC, as indicated by the subjects' report of degree of "high." The peak effect of THC on the central nervous system coincided well with the reduction of intraocular pressure induced by the drug; hypotony, however, outlasted euphoria. The results indicate that THC may have value as a hypotonizing ocular medicant.
