Outcomes of Treatment of Eyelids and Third Eyelid Tumours in Dogs Using High-Frequency Radiowave Surgery

Abstract

In human ophthalmology, the benefits of using high-frequency radiowave (HFR) electrocautery for surgical procedures were demonstrated and include effective haemostasis, shorter surgery times, and rapid recovery. In canine eyelid surgery, intraoperative bleeding is a common feature that may obscure the surgical field view and lead to the increased swelling of adjacent tissues, bruising, and pain. To evaluate the efficacy and benefits of HFR electrocautery in canine eyelid and third eyelid surgery, the medical records of 48 surgical excisions of eyelid tumours (involving up to one-third of the eyelid length) and 4 third eyelid excisions were reviewed. The information was collected including the breed, age, clinical signs, HFR power setting and mode of the surgical unit, electrode used for the surgery, intraoperative complications, histopathological diagnosis, and postoperative outcomes. Surgical techniques were performed using the Surgitron Dual 3.8 MHz Frequency RF device (Ellman International, Oceanside, NY, USA). Intraoperative bleeding was recorded as absent or very mild, and the surgical procedures were very fast. No complications occurred during the procedures. Healing within 10 days was observed in all the dogs. No tumour recurrences were recorded at the 12-month follow-up. HFR electrosurgery proved to be a safe, effective, and easy-to-perform technique for the removal of eyelid and third eyelid tumours in dogs.

Keywords: dog; eyelid tumour; ophthalmic surgery; radiowave surgery; third eyelid tumour.

Figure 1

German Shepherd, male, 6 years old, with spindle cell melanoma (a) at presentation; (b) immediately after operation; (c) two weeks after surgery; (d) four weeks after surgery.

Figure 1

German Shepherd, male, 6 years old, with spindle cell melanoma (a) at presentation; (b) immediately after operation; (c) two weeks after surgery; (d) four weeks after surgery.

Figure 2

Labrador Retriever, male, 4 years old, with lid melanoma (a) at presentation; (b) immediately after operation; (c) four weeks after surgery.

Figure 3

Golden Retriever, male, 4 years old, with third eyelid melanocytoma (a) at presentation; (b) two weeks after surgery, showing depigmentation of the inferior lid; (c) four weeks after surgery.

Figure 4

Mixed-breed dog, male, 10 years old, with adenocarcinoma of third eyelid (a) at presentation; (b) immediately post operation; (c) two weeks after surgery.

Figure 4

Mixed-breed dog, male, 10 years old, with adenocarcinoma of third eyelid (a) at presentation; (b) immediately post operation; (c) two weeks after surgery.