[Larger sclerotomies for use of the multiport illumination system do not increase the complication risk of vitrectomy].
OBJECTIVE
To free both of the surgeon's hands for bimanual work in the vitreous cavity, Koch and coworkers developed the multiport illumination system, which, however, requires enlarged sclerotomies.


METHODS
To evaluate the safety of the multiport illumination system we analyzed the first postoperative year of those 104 vitrectomies, that were performed using this system between January and December 1991. It was used only for patients suffering from advanced vitreoretinal changes that most likely require bimanual surgery.


RESULTS
No specific intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered that might possibly have been caused by the multiport illumination system. Postoperative fibrinous reactions were noted in the vitreous cavity of 7 patients, and in the anterior chamber of 15 patients. Rebleeding was observed in a total of 17 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
When these complications were compared to data from other retrospective studies of vitrectomy and its complications, the multiport illumination, system was found to be as safe as conventional devices.
Böker
T
T
Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Universität Bonn.
Augustin
A J
AJ
Schmidt
H
H
Koch
F
F
D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008029:Lighting; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012599:Sclerostomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018630:Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative / Q000601:surgery*
Grössere Sklerotomien für den Einsatz des multiportalen Illuminationssystems erhöhen nicht das Komplikationsrisiko einer Vitrektomie.