Visual outcomes with 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the outcomes of patients treated with 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy for various posterior segment conditions.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of 81 consecutive 23-gauge vitrectomy cases done by a single vitreoretinal surgeon for various posterior segment conditions was done. All surgery was performed using the two-step 23-gauge system developed by Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center. All patients had at least 3-month follow-up. Main outcome measures included visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and operative complications.


RESULTS
Mean follow-up was 6.5 months (range 3-9 months). Mean overall preoperative visual acuity was 20/150 and final acuity was 20/70 (P < 0.0001). Mean intraocular pressure on postoperative day 1 was 14 mmHg (range 6-28 mmHg). There was a single case of intraoperative retinal tear that required treatment with cryotherapy. Twenty eyes of 48 phakic eyes (42%) had worsening of cataracts in the postoperative period. There were no postoperative complications of endophthalmitis or retinal detachment.


CONCLUSIONS
Twenty-three-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy is an effective surgical technique in the management of vitreoretinal diseases. Complications were rare and compared favorably with published literature on 20-gauge and 25-gauge surgery.
Tewari
Asheesh
A
Barnes Retina Institute, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
Shah
Gaurav K
GK
Fang
Amy
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003228:Conjunctiva; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000601:surgery*