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Use of a chalazion forceps in oral biopsy
Fig. 1 • Chalazion forceps equipped with self-retaining nut. Forceps is useful for ex cision of many small to me dium size oral lesions requiring biopsy
Use of a chalazion forceps in oral biopsy
Joseph F. W elborn,* D .D .S., M .S.D ., Chanute Air Force Base, III.
One type of chalazion forceps, an oph thalmologic instrument, is adaptable to use in oral biopsy. Its use, limitations and advantages are discussed in this respect.
A chalazion forceps is an ophthalmologic instrument which is used during the re moval of a cyst of the meibomian glands (sebaceous follicles between the tarsi and
the conjunctiva of the eyelids). There are a variety of shapes and sizes of such for ceps adapted for removal of a chalazion (a small tumor of the eyelid, formed by the distention of a meibomian g lan d ). One type of the chalazion forceps, Desmarres (Fig. 1), has been found to be extremely well suited to use during the re moval of several oral lesions. T he design of the chalazion forceps limits its useful ness and adaptability in oral surgery to
Fig. 2 • Left: Mucocele of lower lip measuring 1.5 cm. in diameter. This lesion is suitable for excision using chalazion forceps. Right: Chalazion forceps applied to mucocele and clamped by means of self-retaining nut. One to two minutes later, tissues blanch and hemostasis is obtained. Forceps handle affords convenient retractor during procedure
rig. 3 • Above: General shape of forceps affords guide for elliptical incisions through mucosa and submucosa at start of procedure. Center: Dissec tion progresses in dry field. W hen lesion has been re moved, clamp may be loosened slightly for identifying small bleeding vessels. Below: Tis sues can be mobilized, approx imated and sutured in rela tively dry field by partially releasing tourniquet effect of clamp
the excision of lesions which occur on the upper and lower lips, the anterior region of the cheeks and the anterior portion of the tongue (Fig. 2, left). T he self-retaining property of the chalazion forceps (Fig. 2, right), affords excellent hemostasis. In addition, this in strument provides a convenient means of retraction during an oral biopsy. The ovoid shape of the chalazion forceps con forms, in general, to the outline of the elliptical incisions which may be made for total excisional biopsy of many oral le sions (Fig. 3, above and center). Another advantage afforded by use of the chalazion forceps in oral biopsy is the convenience with which tissues may be sutured before fully releasing the forceps.
In those instances when this is desirable, the tourniquet effect of the clamp is par tially released to facilitate placement of sutures (Fig. 3, below ). Should it be nec essary to do so, small bleeding vessels can be ligated immediately before closure of the wound. During oral biopsy procedures, it has been possible to maintain the chalazion forceps in position for as long as 30 min utes without observing signs of unusual postoperative edema.
The opinions or assertions contained herein are those of the author and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the view of the Department of the Air Force or the A ir Service at large. *Lt. Colonel, United States A ir Force, Dental Corps; chief of oral surgery, U SA F Hospital Chanute.
Use of a chalazion forceps in oral biopsy
Joseph F. W elborn,* D .D .S., M .S.D ., Chanute Air Force Base, III.
One type of chalazion forceps, an oph thalmologic instrument, is adaptable to use in oral biopsy. Its use, limitations and advantages are discussed in this respect.
A chalazion forceps is an ophthalmologic instrument which is used during the re moval of a cyst of the meibomian glands (sebaceous follicles between the tarsi and
the conjunctiva of the eyelids). There are a variety of shapes and sizes of such for ceps adapted for removal of a chalazion (a small tumor of the eyelid, formed by the distention of a meibomian g lan d ). One type of the chalazion forceps, Desmarres (Fig. 1), has been found to be extremely well suited to use during the re moval of several oral lesions. T he design of the chalazion forceps limits its useful ness and adaptability in oral surgery to
Fig. 2 • Left: Mucocele of lower lip measuring 1.5 cm. in diameter. This lesion is suitable for excision using chalazion forceps. Right: Chalazion forceps applied to mucocele and clamped by means of self-retaining nut. One to two minutes later, tissues blanch and hemostasis is obtained. Forceps handle affords convenient retractor during procedure
rig. 3 • Above: General shape of forceps affords guide for elliptical incisions through mucosa and submucosa at start of procedure. Center: Dissec tion progresses in dry field. W hen lesion has been re moved, clamp may be loosened slightly for identifying small bleeding vessels. Below: Tis sues can be mobilized, approx imated and sutured in rela tively dry field by partially releasing tourniquet effect of clamp
the excision of lesions which occur on the upper and lower lips, the anterior region of the cheeks and the anterior portion of the tongue (Fig. 2, left). T he self-retaining property of the chalazion forceps (Fig. 2, right), affords excellent hemostasis. In addition, this in strument provides a convenient means of retraction during an oral biopsy. The ovoid shape of the chalazion forceps con forms, in general, to the outline of the elliptical incisions which may be made for total excisional biopsy of many oral le sions (Fig. 3, above and center). Another advantage afforded by use of the chalazion forceps in oral biopsy is the convenience with which tissues may be sutured before fully releasing the forceps.
In those instances when this is desirable, the tourniquet effect of the clamp is par tially released to facilitate placement of sutures (Fig. 3, below ). Should it be nec essary to do so, small bleeding vessels can be ligated immediately before closure of the wound. During oral biopsy procedures, it has been possible to maintain the chalazion forceps in position for as long as 30 min utes without observing signs of unusual postoperative edema.
The opinions or assertions contained herein are those of the author and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the view of the Department of the Air Force or the A ir Service at large. *Lt. Colonel, United States A ir Force, Dental Corps; chief of oral surgery, U SA F Hospital Chanute.