ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare effectiveness of releasable transconjunctival sutures in 23 gauge vitrectomy and standard 20 gauge vitrectomy
Methods: This prospective comparative study was conducted in Department of Vitreoretinal Surgery, Al Ehsan Eye Hospital, Lahore from June 2016 to March 2017. It included 84 patients in total [Group-A: 42 patients underwent 23 gauge releasable suture vitrectomy; Group-B: 42 patients who underwent standard 20 gauge vitrectomy]. Pre operative and post operative best corrected visual acuity, surgical duration, pre and post operative intraocular pressure and complication profile was compared between two groups
Results: The leading cause for vitrectomy was vitreous haemorrhage. [Group-A; n=15 ;35.71%; Group-B; n=17; 40.47%]. There was statistically significant improvement in preoperative and postoperative BCVA in both groups [Group A: P-value < 0.05; Group B P-value < 0.05] but there was no significant difference in post operative BCVA between two groups at 3 months [P-value > 0.05]. Surgical time for 23G vitrectomy Group was statistically less than 20 G vitrectomy Group [51 +/-18 minutes for Group-A versus 78 +/- 13 minutes for Group-B; p-value < 0.05]. Visual analog score for pain / discomfort was also significantly less for Group-A than Group-B. There was no significant difference in intraocular pressures between the two groups
Conclusions: Releasable suture technique for small gauge vitrectomy is a safe and easily adaptable technique that has certain significant advantages over 20G absorbable suture vitrectomy