Comparison between 23-gauge versus 25-gauge Vitrectomy Outcomes for Dropped Lens Fragments in the Vitreous Cavity

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#This study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of 23-gauge (g) micro-incision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS) and 25-g MIVS for lens fragments that dropped into the vitreous cavity during cataract surgery. @*Methods@#This study was a comparative, retrospective, and interventional case series study based on a medical records review. Sixty-six eyes of 66 patients with dropped lens fragments in the vitreous cavity during MIVS, performed between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2017, were included. The characteristics of the patients and their visual acuity, operation time duration, and complication rate were analyzed retrospectively. @*Results@#23-MIVS and 25-g MIVS were performed on 41 and 25 eyes, respectively. The mean value of best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR) improved significantly from 1.79 ± 1.12 to 0.36 ± 0.63 in the 23-g group and from 1.82 ± 1.15 to 0.31 ± 0.53 in the 25-g group (p < 0.001). The mean operation time was 33.0 ± 6.8 minutes in the 23-g group and 32.3 ± 6.9 minutes in the 25-g group, with no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.694). There were two cases of postoperative cystoid macular edema in the 23-g group; however, no significant difference with regard to postoperative complications was found between the two groups (p = 0.262). @*Conclusions@#23- and 25-g MIVS for lens fragments dropped into the vitreous cavity during cataract surgery is a comparably safe and effective method for reducing the size of the incision and shortening the operation time.