Comparison of flange creation in polypropylene sutures between high-temperature and low-temperature cautery

The objective of this study was to describe and evaluate the flange formation technique using 6.0 polypropylene sutures for scleral fixation, using either high-temperature or low-temperature cautery. Flange dimensions (size and shape) and formation time were documented. Heating a 1 mm segment of 6.0 polypropylene suture produced flanges of comparable size and shape, regardless of the cautery temperature. However, the flange formation time differed significantly, averaging 2.7 ± 0.6 seconds with low-temperature cautery compared with 1 second with high-temperature cautery. In conclusion, both low-temperature and high-temperature cautery can be used interchangeably for the flange formation of 6.0 polypropylene sutures, depending on the surgeon's preference. Nonetheless, the longer formation time associated with low-temperature cautery may offer enhanced control during the flange creation process.