O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4 | O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
Hoffman. So if the wound is self-sealing on
the table, why should you place a sealant on
it? "Well, yeah, exactly," he says.
Infection and inflammation
Surgeons prescribe their own concoctions of
antibiotic, steroidal and non-steroidal drops to
prevent post-op inflammation and infection in
the eye. Dr. Rosenblum says good surgical
technique will likely prevent post-op inflam-
mation, and says it might be overkill to pre-
scribe steroid drops 4 times daily for a month,
but he has had patients who've forgotten to
take steroid drops after 2 days post-op. Their
eyes were fine, but the incidences highlight
the real risk of patient non-adherence.
Wouldn't it be great if patients didn't have to
worry about adhering to the multi-drop thera-
py?
Dr. Hoffman admits his week-long regimen
of antibiotic drops probably isn't needed for
patients who undergo routine surgery and
leave with sealed incisions, but calls the pos-
sibility of replacing drops with a single injec-
tion "very interesting" and is intrigued by the
option of eliminating patient compliance
issues and lowering post-op care costs.
Although Dr. Melendez says more
research and time are needed to ensure
injections are the most effective and safest
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