title: Role of residual vitreous cortex removal in prevention of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage in diabetic vitrectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether residual vitreous cortex removal has a role in the prevention of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage in diabetic vitrectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective, comparative, nonrandomized study on a consecutive series of patients who underwent vitrectomy for diabetic eye disease. Recurrence of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage was compared in patients following surgery with and without residual vitreous cortex removal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the study period, 59 patients had vitrectomy for diabetic disease. In 31 patients (group 1), the residual vitreous cortex was not removed and in 28 patients (group 2) the residual vitreous cortex was removed during surgery. Both groups were matched for number of patients, age, sex, duration of follow-up, and diagnosis. Recurrent postoperative vitreous hemorrhage (RVH) was noted in ten patients in group 1 (10/31, 32.25%) and in two patients in group 2 (2/28, 7.14%). The difference in postoperative vitreous hemorrhage between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.017). Logistic regression analysis showed that residual vitreous cortex removal and presence of intravitreal gas tamponade were associated with reduced risk of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage. However, only residual vitreous cortex removal was statistically significant factor in reducing risk of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage [odds ratio = 0.174; confidence interval (CI) = 0.0331-0.919; P = 0.040].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Residual vitreous cortex removal may be beneficial in reducing recurrence of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage following diabetic vitrectomy. Further randomized studies should be performed to evaluate the potential of this surgical technique in preventing postoperative recurrent vitreous hemorrhage following diabetic vitrectomy.
authors.affiliation: Vitreo-Retinal Service, Dhahran Eye Specialist Hospital, Dhahran, KSA. drrac@doctors.net.uk
authors.forename: Rizwan A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cheema
authors.forename: Javed
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mushtaq
authors.forename: Maheera A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cheema
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000601:surgery*; D014823:Vitreous Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*