Incidence of endophthalmitis in a large series of 23-gauge and 20-gauge transconjunctival pars plana vitrectomy.
BACKGROUND
To study the incidence of endophthalmitis after 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy and to compare it with the endophthalmitis rate after 20-gauge pars plana vitrectomy performed in the same ophthalmology department.


METHODS
The charts of 4,021 consecutive 20-gauge or 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomies performed at a single institution, between August 1 2003 and April 1 2008, were reviewed to search for the occurrence of postoperative endophthalmitis. This is a retrospective, interventional, comparative cohort study.


RESULTS
Endophthalmitis developed in one of 3,078 eyes after 20-gauge vitrectomy (0.03%) and in none of 943 eyes after 23-gauge vitrectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
We did not find an increased risk of endophthalmitis after 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy.
Parolini
Barbara
B
Ospedale Sacro Cuore, Negrar-Verona, Italy. barbara.parolini@sacrocuore.it
Romanelli
Federica
F
Prigione
Guido
G
Pertile
Grazia
G
D002404:Catheterization; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000601:surgery*; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods