Short-term safety of 23-gauge single-step transconjunctival vitrectomy surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to report the safety profile of the Alcon 23-gauge single-step preloaded transconjunctival vitrectomy system.


METHODS
This was a retrospective case series examining 118 eyes of 114 patients that underwent 23-gauge vitrectomy between July and November 2007. Patients were observed postoperatively for a minimum of 6 weeks. Main outcome measures were postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), intraoperative complications, and postoperative adverse events.


RESULTS
The mean postoperative Day 1 IOP was 14.3 +/- 6.6 mmHg (median, 13 mmHg; range, 2-38 mmHg) and Month 1 IOP was 15.8 +/- 5.9 mmHg (median, 15 mmHg; range, 6-52 mmHg). Two eyes (1.7%) developed choroidal effusions. Four eyes (3.4%) developed intraoperative horseshoe tears. No retinal detachments or endophthalmitis occurred. Four eyes (3.4%) had postoperative hypotony. Intraoperative wound leak after cannula removal requiring a sclerotomy suture occurred in 38% of patients: 35 eyes requiring closure of 1 cannula site (29.6%), 8 eyes (6.8%) requiring closure of 2 cannula sites, and 2 eyes (1.7%) requiring closure of all 3 cannula sites.


CONCLUSIONS
The Alcon 23-gauge single step preloaded transconjunctival vitrectomy system has few safety issues. Sclerotomy leaks after cannula removal are common, with 38% of eyes requiring suture closure of at least 1 cannula site.
Chieh
Janet J
JJ
New England Eye Center and Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, Boston, MA, USA.
Rogers
Adam H
AH
Wiegand
Torsten W
TW
Baumal
Caroline R
CR
Reichel
Elias
E
Duker
Jay S
JS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012599:Sclerostomy; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*