title: [Long-term results after pars plana vitrectomy with 25 gauge technique].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The 25-gauge technique of pars plana vitrectomy appears to be a very suitable method, especially for patients with pathological epiretinal alterations of the macula. However, the procedure has been criticized for insufficient impermeability with an increased risk of endophthalmitis and that the flexibility of instruments is too high.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2002 and 2006, 625 eyes from 620 patients were operated on using the 25-gauge technique. Epiretinal membranes in different stages had been diagnosed in all patients. The operations were performed by only one surgeon.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The epiretinal membranes were successfully removed in all patients and 329 eyes were analyzed with long-term follow up over 3.1 years. The mean improvement in visual acuity before and after surgery was -0.41 in LogMAR. One week postoperatively normal IOP was observed in all cases. The mean preoperative IOP was 17 mmHg and 8 mmHg 1 day after surgery. In nine patients with postoperative hypotony and choroidal detachment an additional suture was required and seven patients developed a retinal detachment. Endophthalmitis was not observed in any of the patients during the follow-up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 25-gauge PPV technique appears to be effective and safe for the treatment of epiretinal membranes. The operation has low complication rates with respect to endophthalmitis or retinal detachment. The procedure has recently been further improved by using more stable instruments and better lighting.
authors.affiliation: Augenabteilung am St. Franziskus Hospital Münster, Hohenzollernring 74, 48145 Münster. Albrecht.Lommatzsch@web.de
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lommatzsch
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Heimes
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trieschmann
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spital
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pauleikhoff
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015862:Choroid Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000209:etiology; D019773:Epiretinal Membrane / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005911:Gliosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*