Influence of the cannulated vitrectomy system on the occurrence of iatrogenic sclerotomy retinal tears.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the use of the cannulated vitrectomy system decreases the incidence of sclerotomy-related retinal tears relative to traditional vitrectomy techniques.


METHODS
Forty-one eyes of 77 patients in this study were randomly selected to undergo treatment with the cannulated port system.


RESULTS
We demonstrated a statistically significant decreased incidence of sclerotomy tears in the cannulated group relative to the noncannulated group (1% vs. 7.7%, P < 0.05). The benefit of the cannulated port system appears to be greatest in cases in which an inexperienced surgeon is learning the techniques of vitreoretinal surgery, in eyes with a preoperative diagnosis of tractional diabetic detachment, and in surgery requiring membrane delamination (simple and extensive).


CONCLUSIONS
The three-port vitrectomy system decreases the incidence of sclerotomy-related retinal tears.
Territo
C
C
Medical College of Pennsylvania, Hahnemann School of Medicine, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, Philadelphia 19102, USA.
Gieser
J P
JP
Wilson
C A
CA
Anand
R
R
D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012160:Retina / Q000601:surgery; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012590:Sclera / Q000601:surgery*; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000379:methods*