Universal fluorescence module for intraoperative fluorescein angiography-a technical report.

BACKGROUND: Even in specialized centers, suboptimal aneurysm clipping can be as high as 12%. Intraoperative fluorescence angiography with indocyanine green and, more recently, fluorescein sodium have been shown to be a good method for intraoperative flow assessment. However, the cost with the apparatus it entails limits its widespread use. We have developed a low-cost universal fluorescence module (FM) designed to visualize fluorescein and perform intraoperative angiography. The purpose of this paper is to describe this device as well as to present our early experience with its use in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. METHOD: A FM was designed and built using a cyan-blue narrow bandpass (460 to 490 nm) excitation filter and a yellow-orange longpass (blocking wavelengths under 520 nm) barrier filter mounted on a 3D-printed holding tray in a specific disposition to perfectly match the light source and the objective lens of the surgical microscope. It allowed switching from white light to fluorescence mode in a simple and sterile fashion. Its perfect attachment to the microscope was possible by reusing the lens fittings extracted from used original drape sets that would otherwise be discarded. Four patients underwent aneurysm clipping using the FM at two institutions from April to September 2018. RESULTS: A bright green fluorescence against a dark background was observed after intravenous bolus of fluorescein. Blood vessels became obviously distinct from non-contrast-filled structures such as clipped aneurysms and the brain. Vascular anatomy could be appreciated without any distortion, including perforating arteries. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative fluorescence angiography was successfully performed with the use of this universal FM after intravenous injection of fluorescein sodium. This simple and low-cost device may be useful in resource-limited centers, where other sorts of intraoperative angiography are not available.

Percepção de autoinstilação de gotas oculares em idosos com ou sem dispositivo de apoio facial / Self instillation perception of eye drops in elderly patients with and without facial support device

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar o grau de dificuldade para instilação tópica ocular em idosos, com ou sem o auxílio de dispositivo de apoio facial, por meio de questionário. Observar qual método foi tecnicamente melhor para aplicação tópica ocular de gotas. Métodos: O estudo foi um ensaio clínico, controlado, randomizado e pareado, realizado em 50 pacientes idosos de setembro de 2015 a junho de 2016 na Policlínica Ronaldo Gazolla, Lapa-Rio de Janeiro. Um frasco de colírio Optive® foi acoplado ao dispositivo de apoio facial denominado Eyedrop®. Cada participante instilou o colírio com ou sem o auxílio do dispositivo em cada um dos olhos, sendo que a seleção ocular foi feita aleatoriamente. Foi perguntado ao paciente questões pré-formuladas sobre a dificuldade de ambos os métodos e a técnica de administração tópica ocular foi avaliada. Resultados: A instilação de gotas foi considerada difícil ou muito difícil por 10% dos idosos com o auxílio do dispositivo e por 36% sem o auxílio (p = 0,0047). Houve toque da ponta do colírio com os tecidos oculares em 64% dos pacientes que não usaram o Eyedrop® e em 4% dos que o utilizaram (p=0,000001). A maior dificuldade descrita na instilação tradicional foi acertar o olho com a gota (32%) e com o dispositivo de apoio foi entender seu uso(4%). Conclusão: A maioria dos idosos instila colírios erroneamente, tocando a ponta do frasco em tecidos oculares, o que favorece sua contaminação. O dispositivo de apoio facial tornou mais segura e fácil a instilação.

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the degree of difficulty for topical ocular instillation in the elderly, through a questionnaire, with or without the aid of facial support device. Observe which method was technically better to topical ocular application of drops. Methods: The study was a clinical trial, controlled, randomized and paired, which was conducted in 50 elderly patients from September 2015 to June 2016 at the Polyclinic Ronaldo Gazolla, Lapa, Rio de Janeiro. A Optive® eyedrop bottle was attached to a facial support device called Eyedrop®. Each participant instilled an eye drop with or without the device help in each of both eyes, wherein the eye selection was made randomly. He was asked to answer pre-formulated questions about the difficulty of both methods and the topical ocular administration technique was evaluated. Results: Eye drop instillation was difficult or very difficult for 10% of the elderly with the device aid and for 36% without it (p = 0.0047). There were bottle tip touch onto the ocular tissues in 64% of patients who did not use Eyedrop® and 4% who used it (p = 0.000001). The greatest difficulty described in traditional instillation was to head properly the eye drop (32%) and when the support device was used, it was to understand how to use it (4%). Conclusion: Most elderly instills eye drops mistakenly, touching the tip of the bottle onto ocular tissues, which favors contamination. The facial support device increased security and facility in instillation.