Diamond-dusted microspatula tips for vitreoretinal surgery

F. A. Tolentino and G. Wu
Microsurgery Research Laboratory, Eye Research Institute, Boston, MA 02114.

We have developed a microsurgical spatula set consisting of four different tips and a universal handle. The set offers a range of tip angulation of 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, and 80 degrees. The bottom surfaces of the spatula tips are covered with fine diamond dust. The 30 degrees tip has a blunt and tapered end. All tips can be introduced through a conventional 20-gauge sclerotomy in a pars plana vitrectomy. The tips fit on a universal handle. The set has been used as a complement to vitreous forceps in dissecting and removing preretinal membrane.