The microtrephine. A new diagnostic tool for obtaining corneal biopsies.

We have developed a new tool for obtaining biopsies of the cornea in a manner which is less traumatic than former biopsy techniques. The new instrument consists of a drill with an aperture of 160 microns which functions as a trephine and is powered at 30,000 rpm. The instrument contains a 120 microns mandrel to remove the samples. In order to monitor electrolyte contents in alkali burnt corneas, 32 rabbit eyes underwent an alkali burn of one cornea (1 n NaOH for 30 sec) followed by a sequence of microtrephinations at different times. A total of 81 microtrephinations were performed. Fifty samples were obtained. One corneal perforation occurred. Forty-four puncture sites were examined by means of histology. Forty-eight biopsies were examined in a scanning electron microscope and identified as punctures of corneal tissue by way of an energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Human corneas had been punctured with this device.