Inferior pseudo-hinge fulcrum technique for and intraoperative complications of laser in situ keratomileusis retreatment after small-incision lenticule extraction

Purpose: To describe the evolution of a flap-lift technique for laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) retreatment after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and report the incidence of complications. Setting: London Vision Clinic, London, United Kingdom. Design: Retrospective case series. Methods: All retreatments between September 2013 and January 2017 were included. A bimanual inferior pseudo-hinge fulcrum flap-lift technique was developed to minimize the chance of tearing or entering the small incision. A flap lifter and a McPherson forceps were inserted into the inferior one third of the flap, slightly angled up to avoid perforating the small-incision lenticule extraction interface. One instrument provided countertraction, and the second separated the interface superiorly, keeping the tip away from the incision. One instrument was held against the hinge for the second instrument to separate the inferior one third. The incidence of intraoperative complications was analyzed. Results: The study evaluated 162 retreatments (4.12%) for 3933 small-incision lenticule extraction treatments (1-year maturity). The retreatment was LASIK (n = 135), side-cut only (n = 1), cap-to-flap procedure (CIRCLE) (n = 3), or photorefractive keratectomy (n = 23). Two eyes (1.4%) had a tear to the small incision. The small-incision lenticule extraction interface was accessed in 8 eyes (5.8%), 1 (0.7%) centrally, and the interface was lifted in 1 eye (0.7%). There were no complications in the last 84 consecutive procedures (60%) using the finalized technique. Conclusion: The bimanual inferior pseudo-hinge fulcrum decreased the risk for accessing the small-incision lenticule extraction interface or tearing the small incision. (C) 2018 ASCRS and ESCRS