An experimental study was performed to evaluate quantitatively the effect of cautery on the tensile strength of sutures commonly used in strabismus surgery. This in vitro study was conducted in a controlled fashion using 6-0 polyglactin 910 suture, two different forms of cautery, and a precision digital force gauge. The results suggest that thermal electrocautery with a wire tip can substantially weaken or break 6-0 polyglactin threads only if direct contact is made, but bipolar cautery at typical ophthalmic surgical settings does not. Copyright © 2019 American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Carolina Adams, Steven E Brooks. Securing extraocular muscles in strabismus surgery: effect of cautery on suture strength. Journal of AAPOS : the official publication of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. 2019 Oct;23(5):285-287
PMID: 31145989
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