Clinical efficacy of surgical removal of deep corneal plant foreign bodies

To describe a technique for removing deep corneal plant foreign bodies.Twelve patients (7 males and 5 females, aged 5 to 56 years) with plant foreign bodies embedded in the deep cornea were treated between July 2011 and December 2012. The course of disease ranged from 1 to 11 d. Four of the patients had wooden foreign bodies, 3 had bamboo foreign bodies, and 5 had flower thorns; all underwent surgical removal. During the surgery, a novel suture needle was used to remove the foreign bodies. For injuries with a deep tunnel caused by the foreign bodies, the tunnel was cut open with a keratome. The foreign bodies were then removed and necrotic tissue was thoroughly debrided. Incisions were closed with interrupted sutures. The corneal foreign bodies were collected postoperatively for fungus and bacterial culture and appropriatemedical treatment was provided.Bacteria were identified in 3 cases, fungus in 3 cases, and no bacteria or fungus in 6 cases. All corneal foreign bodies were embedded deep in the corneal stroma without incidence of full-thickness corneal penetration or intraocular infection.Plant foreign bodies embedded in the deep cornea should be removed immediately. During the surgery, the foreign bodies and surrounding necrotic corneal stroma should be completely removed. The injured cornea should be cut open to eliminate necrotic tissues when necessary.