Initial Experience With 20-Gauge Transconjunctival Sutureless Vitrectomy Using Conventional Instruments

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To describe a transconjunctival sutureless technique for pars plana vitrectomy using conventional 20-gauge instruments. METHODS: We performed transconjunctival sutureless pars plana vitrectomy (TSV) using conventional 20-gauge instruments in 36 eyes of 35 patients. We made 20-gauge transconjunctival beveled sclerotomies using microvitreoretinal (MVR) blades and used traditional 20-gauge instruments for the operations. RESULTS: Eighty-three (81.4%) of 102 sclerotomies self-sealed without the need for sutures. The sutureless rate was even higher in the last one-third of the patients 32 (94.1%) of 34 sclerotomy sites were sutureless. No serious complications were observed in our series, including postoperative hypotony, wound leakage, or endophthalmitis. CONCLUSIONS: The 20-gauge TSV technique is safe and can be utilized for almost all vitreoretinal diseases, without incurring additional cost for new instruments.