The Clinical Outcomes of 23-Gauge Transconjunctival Sutureless Vitrectomy for Endophthalmitis after Cataract Surgery

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report the clinical outcomes and utility of 23-gauge (G) transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) in patients with postoperative endophthalmitis following cataract surgery. METHODS: The medical records of 16 patients (17 eyes) who underwent 23-G TSV between January 2008 and December 2009 at Konyang University Hospital due to postoperative endophthalmitis following cataract surgery were retrospectively analyzed. The pre- and post-operative best-corrected visual acuities (BCVA), changes in intraocular pressure, the time from diagnosis to surgery, the intraoperative and postoperative complications, and the average duration of hospitalization were investigated. RESULTS: The mean BCVA significantly improved from log MAR 1.89 +/- 1.03 to log MAR 0.42 +/- 0.82 (p = 0.001), and the mean intraocular pressure changed from 16.1 +/- 4.1 mm Hg at baseline to 16.2 +/- 3.3 mm Hg on the first postoperative day without any significant difference (p = 0.955). In addition, none of the patients required sutures to treat wound leakage or showed hypotony on follow-up observation. The average operation time was 64.7 +/- 22.5 minutes, and the average duration of hospitalization was 5.4 +/- 4.5 days. CONCLUSIONS: The use of 23-G TSV in patients with postoperative endophthalmitis following cataract surgery may offer more convenience for the surgeon and more comfort for the patient. In addition, the patient may return to normal life earlier with a shortened duration of hospitalization.