Eyelid surgery and pacemakers

My eye doctor has recommended surgery to fix an upper eyelid drop (ptosis). I have read of interferances between electro-cautery and laser with pacemakers. Has any one in this forum undergone eye lid surgery?

2 Comments

Electro-cautery

by Gemita - 2022-01-07 14:00:05

TAC, have a look at the attached link and then at the links contained in the PM Club post.  Your surgeon and EP should have a discussion on what needs to be done to keep you safe.  I cannot help you any more with this, but perhaps someone can?

https://www.pacemakerclub.com/message/41019/electrocautery-and-pacemaker

Electro-cautery with pacemakers

by Selwyn - 2022-01-08 15:00:00

Electrocautery is safe. By this I mean electrocautery ie. this does not have a patient base plate. It is a device, resulting in heating of a wire tip by electricity. I have used electrocautery  and provided the actual device is not near ( within 6 inches) of the pacemaker all is well.  The device usually has long leads from the box to enable the surgeon some freedom of movement 

Lasers are safe. The laser generating unit should not be placed over the pacemaker. Light is conducted accordingly via fibre optic.

Any current passing through the body, as in surgical diathermy may potentially be a problem, though rarely is.

See safeguards for this:

https://www.bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Perioperative-pacemakers-protocol.pdf

Correction of a ptosis is a minor procedure. 

 

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