Obtaining maximal optic nerve length during enucleation procedures.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine optimal scissor blade design and surgical approach to facilitate obtaining a long optic nerve segment during enucleation procedures. METHODS: Two hundred mock enucleations were performed with the use of a human child skull model and a silicone sphere to simulate an eye. Temporal and nasal approaches with scissor blades with noncurved, mildly curved, or strongly curved blades were tested. RESULTS: Longer optic nerve segments were obtained with mildly curved scissor blades from both temporal and nasal surgical approaches. Strongly curved scissor blades uniformly produced smaller specimens. CONCLUSIONS: Mildly curved scissors should be used for enucleation when a long optic nerve specimen is desired. Strongly curved scissors should be avoided.