A Combination of 23-gauge and 20-gauge Transconjunctival Sutureless Vitrectomy

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical experience and safety profile of a combination of 23-gauge and 20-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) METHODS: Thirty-seven eyes of thirty-seven consecutive patients who underwent 23-gauge combined with 20-gauge transconjunctival vitrectomy surgery by a single surgeon from August 2006 through December 2006 were reviewed retrospectively for surgical indications, wound problems, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Thirty-seven eyes, including eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n=24), macular hole (n=3), epiretinal membrane (n=3), vitreous hemorrhage due to branch retinal vein occlusion and choroidal neovascular membrane (n=3), vitreous opacity secondary to uveitis (n=1), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (n=1), and vitreoretinal traction syndrome (n=1), underwent operation. Seven eyes at 23-gauge sclerotomy sites and 15 eyes at 20-gauge sclerotomy sites had subconjunctival hemorrhage. Three eyes required sutures at 20-gauge sclerotomy sites intraoperatively due to wound leakage. One wound hemorrhage occurred at a 23-guage sclerotomy site. Vitreous hemorrhage (4 eyes), hyphema (2 eyes), and vitreous hemorrhage with hyphema (1 eye) occurred postoperatively. Postoperative hypotony, retinal detachment, and other complications did not occur. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of 23-gauge and 20-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy which was created by modifying transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy systems published previously guarded against sclerotomy wounds and a variety of vitreoretinal surgical indications.