WOUND STRENGTH COMPARISON OF A 5.1-MILLIMETER NO-STITCH WITH A 7.0-MILLIMETER SUTURED INCISION IN HUMAN CADAVER GLOBES

We compared the wound strength of 5.1-millimeter no-stitch incisions w ith that of 7.0-millimeter sutured incisions in cadaver eyes. Each inc ision was performed on seven cadaver eyes. Wound integrity was evaluat ed by subjecting each globe to increasing intraocular pressure (IOP), increasing external pressure, and sudden external pressure. Wound leak s occurred in the 7.0-millimeter-incision globes at consistently lower IOPs and with less external pressure than they did in the 5.1-millime ter-incision globes. We conclude that the 5.1-millimeter no-stitch fla p incision has greater wound integrity than the 7.0-millimeter sutured Incision when subjected to either internal or external pressures.