Handheld Low-Temperature Cautery-Assisted External Drainage of Subretinal Fluid

Drs. Obadah Moushmoush, Jason Huang, and Mohsin Ali demonstrate the use of a handheld low-temperature cautery device to externally drain subretinal fluid in a phakic patient with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. The detachment was repaired with a 40–50 scleral buckle and cryotherapy, in addition to the cautery device. The advantages of using this method include ease, minimal risk of hemorrhage, and not having to puncture the subretinal space with a sharp instrument. One potential disadvantage is that the size of the choroidotomy is larger than with other conventional drainage instruments, such as needles.

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