title: Surgically-induced inflammation with 20-, 23-, and 25-gauge vitrectomy systems: an experimental study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate postoperative intraocular inflammation induced in rabbit eyes subjected to surgery using different vitrectomy systems.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 20-, 23-, and 25-gauge vitrectomy were performed on a total of 12 rabbit eyes, divided into 3 respective groups, and 4 rabbit eyes were used as a normal control group. The surgery consisted of posterior vitreous detachment induction and core vitrectomy. The main outcome measures were operative time, volume of balanced saline solution consumed and the intravitreal total protein concentration, determined by bicinchoninic acid protein assays, obtained by vitreous tap on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intravitreal protein averages in the 20-, 23-, and 25-gauge vitrectomy groups were, respectively, 31 +/- 4.1, 21 +/- 2.3, and 7 +/- 3.4 mg/mL on postoperative Day 1 (0.13 +/- 0.02 mg/mL in the control eye). The intravitreal protein concentration level was significantly lower with the 25-gauge than with 20- or 23-gauge vitrectomy (P < 0.001), and there were no significant differences in intravitreal protein between the 20- and 23-gauge system on postoperative days 1 and 3. At 7 days postoperatively, there were no significant differences in the intravitreal protein levels among the three groups. Significantly less balanced saline solution was consumed in the 25-gauge vitrectomy group (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postoperative intraocular inflammation can vary among vitrectomy systems. A smaller gauge can minimize the inflammation associated with vitrectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Kazuaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kadonosono
authors.forename: Tadashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamakawa
authors.forename: Eiichi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Uchio
authors.forename: Yoichiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yanagi
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tamaki
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Araie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004867:Equipment Design; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011817:Rabbits; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005136:Eye Proteins; D012965:Sodium Chloride