Abstract:

Objective  To investigate the application value of photochemical tissue bonding (PTB) technique on repairing lacerations on rabbit eyelids. Methods  Parallel, perpendicular, and oblique (45°) incisions were made on rabbit upper eyelid skin and closured by PTB (PTB group) or suturing (suturing group). The exposure doses of PTB group were 25, 50, 100 J/cm² and radiancy was 0.25 W/cm². Incisions that were not treated or underwent laser exposure (100 J/cm²) served as controls. Leak pressure and skin strength were measured and inflammatory infiltration of surrounding dermis on 1, 3, and 7 d after operation were observed. Results  The differences of leak pressure between PTB subgroups (25, 50, 100 J/cm², 0.25 W/cm²) and suturing group, and among  PTB subgroups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The skin strength of PTB group was remarkably higher than that of the control group within one week after operation and the differences of skin strength among groups one week after operation were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Compared with the suturing group, operation time of the PTB group was significantly shorter (P<0.05) and the inflammatory infiltration of surrounding dermis on 1 d after operation was milder (P<0.05). Conclusion  PTB can achieve the same anti-tension effect as suturing for repairing the laceration on eyelids with simpler operation and milder inflammatory infiltration.

Key words: photochemical tissue bonding, repair, eyelid, laceration