Illuminated curved 25-gauge vitrectomy probe for removal of subsclerotomy vitreous in vitreoretinal surgery.

ABSTRACT

Incarceration of vitreous in sclerotomy sites during pars plana vitrectomy can lead to wound-related complications similar to vitreous incarceration in cataract surgery. We describe an illuminated curved 25-gauge vitrectomy probe for removing vitreous from sclerotomy sites. Polyester tubing is used to secure a fiber optic endoilluminator (0.5 mm) with the curved 25-gauge vitrector (0.5 mm). The resultant illuminated curved vitrector (20 G) has a diameter of 1.0 mm. It facilitates complete removal of vitreous around the internal sclerotomies under direct visualization in both phakic and pseudophakic eyes. The same was confirmed with ultrasound biomicroscopy of the sclerotomy sites. Curved vitrector reduces postoperative complications related to incarcerated vitreous in phakic and pseudophakic eyes and other sclerotomy-related wound complications.