title: A novel technique for self-sealing, wedge-shaped pars plana sclerotomies and its features in ultrasound biomicroscopy and clinical outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate a new type of self-sealing pars plana sclerotomy clinically and by means of ultrasound biomicroscopy and to compare the outcome with conventionally sutured sclerotomies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy either with (control group) or without suturing (study group) at the Institute of Ophthalmology, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, The Netherlands, between January 1 and March 31, 2002. One day and 6 to 8 weeks postoperatively, the sclerotomy sites were studied by clinical examination and ultrasound biomicroscopy. Results were graded according to verbal descriptor scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 21 patients scheduled for pars plana vitrectomy of one eye. Mean follow-up time was 6.5 weeks (range, 6-8). Three patients were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining patients, 12 had self-sealing wedge-sclerotomies and six were conventionally operated. No intraoperative complications occurred in any participant and no visual loss or postoperative hypotony was observed. On the first day after surgery there was significantly more scleral dehiscence in the control group (P =.012). This divergence disappeared during the follow-up period. All other differences noticed were not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our novel technique of sutureless wedge-shaped sclerotomy allows the creation of simple, reliable, and self-sealing pars plana openings. Clinical examination and assessment by ultrasound biomicroscopy showed results to be at least as safe as conventionally sutured sclerotomies. This new method allows stable intraoperative ocular pressure conditions and seems promising.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ophthalmology, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. t.theelen@ohk.umcn.nl
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Theelen
authors.forename: Adrianus M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Verbeek
authors.forename: Maurits A D
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tilanus
authors.forename: Pieter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: van den Biesen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012590:Sclera / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D012599:Sclerostomy / Q000379:methods*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000379:methods; D014945:Wound Healing