Triamcinolone-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling.
OBJECTIVE
To review our experience with triamcinolone-assisted pars plana vitrectomy for internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for various retinal diseases.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients underwent surgery in which intraoperative triamcinolone acetonide (TA) was used. Indications for surgery included epiretinal membrane (3 patients), branch retinal vein occlusion associated with macular edema (2), traction retinal detachment (3), diabetic macular edema (4), vitreous hemorrhage with diabetic macular edema (4), macular hole (4), and cystoid macular edema (1).


RESULTS
TA was useful in the removal of the ILM in all cases. There were no intraoperative complications or toxicity. The mean follow-up was 22 weeks (range, 9-30 weeks). Eleven patients improved by >or=2 Snellen lines, 1 lost >or=2 Snellen lines, and 9 were within 2 Snellen lines of preoperative vision at the last follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The intraoperative use of TA improves visualization of ILMs associated with a variety of conditions. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. TA-assisted removal of the ILM appears to be safe and cost effective. TA-assisted ILM peeling should be considered as an alternative to the use of intraoperative dyes.
Shah
Gaurav K
GK
Barnes Retina Institute, St. Louis, Missouri, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63114, USA.
Rosenblatt
Brett J
BJ
Blinder
Kevin J
KJ
Grand
M Gilbert
MG
Smith
Morton
M
D000368:Aged; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019773:Epiretinal Membrane / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000379:methods*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide