"Finger-tip" cryoprobe assisted enucleation.

Abstract

To report the use of a new cryotherapy probe to induce proptosis during enucleation surgery. Interventional case report. Two patients with uveal melanoma and secondary glaucoma were treated by enucleation. A large surface area (70 mm(2)), spatulated, end-freezing cryotherapy probe ("Finger-tip" probes, MIRA, Inc.) was used to induce proptosis during optic nerve transsection. This new probe offers homogeneous freezing over a relatively large surface area. This new cryoprobe was used to create a large cryo-adhesion on the cornea, for an excellent purchase of the eye during enucleation surgery. Using this adhesion, the eye was lifted, enabling transsection of the optic nerve. This report includes photographs of the cryoprobe, the corneal cryo-adhesion, and describes its use for traction during enucleation surgery.