Pars plana vitrectomy with peripheral retinotomy after injection of preoperative intravitreal tissue plasminogen activator: a modified procedure to drain massive subretinal haemorrhage.
OBJECTIVE
To report outcome of a modified procedure for draining massive subretinal haemorrhages (SRHs).


METHODS
The charts of eight consecutive eyes from eight patients with massive SRHs extending to the periphery and involving two or more quadrants with haemorrhagic and bullous retinal detachment were reviewed. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was injected intravitreally 12-24 h preoperatively; vitrectomy was carried out with peripheral retinotomy, drainage of the SRH from the retinotomy using perfluorocarbon liquid and gas tamponade with prone positioning postoperatively.


RESULTS
The preoperative visual acuities ranged from light perception to 20/200. Most of the subretinal haematomas moved postoperatively to the vitreous cavity through the peripheral retinotomy using perfluorocarbon liquid. Residual SRHs were drained from the anterior chamber at the bedside after prone positioning overnight. SRH recurred in one eye 14 months postoperatively and was successfully retreated. No other serious complications developed. The final visual acuity improved in seven eyes (range 20/1000-20/60). Polypoidal lesions in choroidal vasculatures were present in three of seven patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The technique seems safe and effective for treating massive SRH. However, visual recovery is limited by the underlying macular pathology. Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, other than age-related macular degeneration, may be another cause of massive SRHs.
Oshima
Y
Y
Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Medical School, 2-2 Yamadaoka (Rm. E7), Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. oshima@ophthal.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Ohji
M
M
Tano
Y
Y
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015862:Choroid Diseases / Q000150:complications; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D016684:Prone Position; D012160:Retina / Q000601:surgery*; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000209:etiology; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000379:methods*
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator