The Benefits of Triamcinolone-Assisted Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the advantages and complications of triamcinolone acetonide (TA)-assisted pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: We retrospectively examined 110 eyes with vitreous hemorrhage or tractional retinal detachment resulting from a PDR after surgery. The TA-assited PPV [TA(+)] consisted of 58 eyes, and the conventional PPV[TA(-)]group consisted of 52 eyes. The improvement in vision, residual vitreous cortex (VC) pattern, and postoperative complications were studied. RESULTS: The residual VC pattern was divided into 3 groups the focal type in 34 eyes (58.6%) the diffuse type in 22 eyes (37.9%) and no residual VC, seen in 2 eyes (3.4%). The TA (+) group had a lower incidence of rebleeding (p=0.0149) and of a preretinal membrane (p=0.0138) than the TA (-) group. No apparent persistant ocular hypertension occurred in any eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Triamcinolone-assisted PPV appears to be potentially useful to remove residual VC and to protect from postoperative complications.