Spontaneous remodelling of retinal veins accidentally severed during vitreous surgery.
BACKGROUND
To report the spontaneous remodelling of retinal veins inadvertently severed during vitreous surgery.


METHODS
Four diabetic patients who underwent vitrectomy during which retinal veins were damaged were followed for at least 6 months. Haemorrhages from severed veins were controlled by raising intraocular pressure and by endodiathermy of the distal ends of the veins. This was followed by fluid/gas exchange.


RESULTS
Remodelling of venous channels in the damaged areas was observed in all eyes. In three of the four eyes we found evidence of collateral veins. In the other eye we noted the connection of two ends of an interrupted vein. No signs of retinal vein occlusion (e.g. superficial retinal haemorrhages and retinal oedema) were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that a spontaneous remodelling mechanism to repair damaged venous channels may exist in retina.
Koizumi
Kan
K
Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. kkoizumi@ophth.kpu-m.ac.jp
Yasuhara
Toru
T
Yamasaki
Toshihide
T
Kinoshita
Shigeru
S
D003097:Collateral Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D003972:Diathermy; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012169:Retinal Vein / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014945:Wound Healing
D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride