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Robot‐assisted retinal vein cannulation in an in vivo porcine retinal vein occlusion model
Author(s) -
Willekens Koen,
Gijbels Andy,
Schoevaerdts Laurent,
Esteveny Laure,
Janssens Tom,
Jonckx Bart,
Feyen Jean H. M.,
Meers Caroline,
Reynaerts Dominiek,
Vander Poorten Emmanuel,
Stalmans Peter
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/aos.13358
Subject(s) - retinal vein , medicine , occlusion , vitrectomy , pars plana , retinal , vein , ophthalmology , surgery , branch retinal vein occlusion , central retinal vein , visual acuity , macular edema
Purpose To evaluate the feasibility of robot‐assisted retinal vein cannulation for retinal vein occlusion. Methods Prospective experimental study performed in in vivo porcine eyes. A standard three port pars plana vitrectomy was followed by laser‐induced branch retinal vein occlusion. Consequently, a retinal vein cannulation with the help of a surgical robot and a microneedle was performed. Complete success was defined as a stable intravenous position of the needle tip confirmed by blood washout for at least 3 min. Secondary outcomes were the occurrence of intra‐operative complications and technical failures. Results Cannulation was successful in 15 of 18 eyes with a complete success rate (duration of infusion of more than 3 min) of 73% after exclusion of two eyes from analysis due to failure in establishing a blood clot. There were no technical failures regarding the robotic device. The intravessel injections of ocriplasmin in two of two eyes led to a clot dissolution. In a subset of five eyes, a second cannulation attempt at the border of the optic disc resulted in a stable intravessel position and infusion during 362 (±138) seconds. Conclusion Robot‐assisted retinal vein cannulation with prolonged infusion time is technically feasible. Human experiments are required to analyse the clinical benefit of this new therapy.

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