A suction instrument for microsurgery.

Troublesome bleeding from small blood vessels occurs during operations on the cornea and sclera. The bleeding from the smaller blood vessels will stop spontaneously if given time, the larger vessels may need to be cauterized. The traditional way of dealing with the blood by mopping it up with cotton swabs or cellulose sponges has some disadvantages. The bleeding point and the surrounding area has to be touched with a swab thus interrupting the operation. Bleeding often continues after the swab has been removed so that a completely dry field is available for surgery for only a fairly short period. The blood from a vessel soon after swabbing prevents accurate cautery application to a bleeding point as it quickly becomes obscured. All these difficulties can be overcome by using a suction instrument (see Figure) instead of a swab for clearing an operation site of blood. Dissection can usually be carried on while the instrument is being used as it functions effectively even when the tip is a little away from the bleeding point. It