Purpose: To study two different methods of metal plate fixation: cyanoacrylate adhesive and Mersilene<FONT FACE=Symbol>Ó</FONT> 6.0 sutures. Methods: 27 adult rabbits were operated under general anesthesia and the eyes were later examined in order to determine the amount of inflammation. This was done on the 8th, 23rd and 38th day. The adherence of the plate to the sclera was also studied under different perpendicular and tangential traction forces. A comparison was made with a control group. Results: Clinical signs of inflammatory reaction were found in all eyes in up to the 23rd day and were slightly more intense in the eyes where cyanoacrylate was used. Microscopical signs of inflammation persisted up to 38th day. Different traction forces were applied to the plates and varied from 20 to 80 gf. The latter were unable to detach the plate from the sclera in all eyes at the end of the 38 days. Conclusions: The fixation of metal plates on the scleral surface is a feasible method and can be performed using suture fixation or cyanoacrylate glue.
Cyanoacrylates; Sutures; Tensile strength; Rabbits
