VISUAL OUTCOMES WITH 23-GAUGE TRANSCONJUNCTIVAL SUTURELESS VITRECTOMY

Abstract

Purpose: 

To evaluate the outcomes of patients treated with 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy for various posterior segment conditions.

Methods: 

A retrospective chart review of 81 consecutive 23-gauge vitrectomy cases done by a single vitreoretinal surgeon for various posterior segment conditions was done. All surgery was performed using the two-step 23-gauge system developed by Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center. All patients had at least 3-month follow-up. Main outcome measures included visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and operative complications.

Results: 

Mean follow-up was 6.5 months (range 3–9 months). Mean overall preoperative visual acuity was 20/150 and final acuity was 20/70 (P < 0.0001). Mean intraocular pressure on postoperative day 1 was 14 mmHg (range 6–28 mmHg). There was a single case of intraoperative retinal tear that required treatment with cryotherapy. Twenty eyes of 48 phakic eyes (42%) had worsening of cataracts in the postoperative period. There were no postoperative complications of endophthalmitis or retinal detachment.

Conclusions: 

Twenty-three-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy is an effective surgical technique in the management of vitreoretinal diseases. Complications were rare and compared favorably with published literature on 20-gauge and 25-gauge surgery.

In Brief

Visual outcomes of 81 consecutive cases of 23-gauge vitrectomy were reviewed. The surgical technique was found to be effective in the management of vitreoretinal diseases. Complications were rare and compared favorably with published literature on 20-gauge and 25-gauge surgery.