Outcomes of 23- and 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomies for idiopathic macular holes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To assess the outcomes of 23-gauge sutureless transconjunctival vitrectomies (TSV), as compared with 25-gauge TSV in macular hole surgeries. METHODS: A retrospective, consecutive, interventional case series of 47 eyes with idiopathic macular holes treated by 23- or 25-gauge TSV were analysed. RESULTS: The operative time was 37.2 (SD 8.9) min with 23-gauge TSV and 34.2 (8.7) min with 25-gauge TSV (p = 0.388). The anatomical success rate was 96% with 23-gauge TSV and 92% with 25-gauge TSV (p>0.999). The logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the sixth postoperative month was 0.19 (0.16) with 23-gauge TSV and 0.19 (0.25) with 25-gauge TSV (p = 0.521). Postoperative improvement in BCVA was comparable between the two TSVs. IOP on postoperative day 1 was lower with 25-gauge TSV (12.3 (4.9) mm Hg) than with 23-gauge TSV (17.4 (5.8) mm Hg) (p = 0.036). Complications included retinal break, intraoperative bleeding and slippage of the infusion cannula with 23-gauge TSV, while retinal detachment and postoperative hypotony occurred in the 25-gauge TSV group (p = 0.570). CONCLUSION: 23-gauge TSV appears to be as safe and effective as 25-gauge TSV in macular hole surgery.

[Evaluation in mice of the efficacy of antivenins administered at the site of the intramuscular inoculation of the Crotalus durissus terrificus venom]. / Avaliação em camundongo da eficácia do antiveneno administrado no local da inoculação intramuscular do veneno de Crotalus durissus terrificus.

The efficacy of the Crotalus durissus terrificus antivenom administration by intramuscular (im) injection at the same place of the im inoculation, of the C. d. terrificus venom was evaluated in mice. In three experiments two DL50 of the venom were inoculated and the antivenom was administered in three different ways: half of the ED50 by intraperitoneal (ip) administration and half by injection, at the same place, immediately after the venom inoculation and thirty minutes after the im venom inoculation; four fifth of ED50 by ip administration and one fifth by injection, at the same place and thirty minutes after the venom inoculation. The antivenom that was administered by intraperitoneal route provided a higher protection to mice (a lower death rate in a 48 hours period) than when it was administered in parts, by intramuscular injection, at the same place of the venom inoculation (p < 0.05). Therefore, it is concluded that this should not be used in human beings bitten by snakes.