Anatomical and functional outcome in brilliant blue G assisted chromovitrectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the potential of brilliant blue G (BBG) for intraoperative staining of the inner limiting membrane (ILM) with respect to staining properties and surgical outcome.


METHODS
In a retrospective, non-comparative clinical case series, we analysed 17 consecutive chromovitrectomy interventions for surgery of macular holes, ERMs, vitreoretinal traction syndromes and cystoid macular oedema. Following complete posterior vitreous detachment, BBG was injected into the vitreous cavity at a concentration of 0.25 mg/ml, followed by immediate washout. Main outcome measures were staining properties, visual acuity, central visual field testing and optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements over a mean follow-up period of 3 months.


RESULTS
ILM staining was somewhat less intensive for BBG than for average indocyanine green (ICG) chromovitrectomy. However, the ILM was removed successfully without additional ICG in 15/17 patients. Postoperative visual acuity was improved in 16/17 patients and remained unchanged in one patient. Central retinal OCT thickness showed a postoperative reduction, with values ranging from +7 to -295 microm (median -89 microm). Neither visual field defects nor any other adverse events were recorded.


CONCLUSIONS
BBG permits sufficient staining for safe ILM removal. In this short-term study, good anatomical and functional results were achieved and no adverse events were observed.
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland. henrichp@uhbs.ch
Paul B
PB
Henrich
Christos
C
Haritoglou
Peter
P
Meyer
Paulo R
PR
Ferreira
Andreas
A
Schötzau
Robert
R
Katamay
Tatjana
T
Josifova
Ulrike
U
Schneider
Josef
J
Flammer
Siegfried
S
Priglinger
D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D019773:Epiretinal Membrane / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000601:surgery; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D058609:Visual Field Tests; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000379:methods*
D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; C004692:coomassie Brilliant Blue