Purpose: To report and demonstrate removal of an intraocular metallic spherical pellet and to describe the construction of a basket instrument.
Methods: A 9-year-old boy sustained a pellet gun injury and underwent pars plana vitrectomy to remove an intraocular spherical metallic pellet. A suture loop basket constructed with 3-O nylon and 16-gauge intravenous cannula was used to grasp and remove the foreign body.
Results: The pellet was mobilized from a subretinal position and effectively captured in the basket using the light pipe as a second instrument. The captured pellet was successfully removed without slippage via a scleral tunnel incision. Despite reattachment of the retina under silicone oil, the vision deteriorated to no light perception.
Conclusion: A simple, readily available basket can be constructed for the effective removal of spherical foreign bodies which are difficult to grasp.