title: Differences between the combination of the 25-gauge vitrectomy with phacoemulsification versus 20-gauge vitrectomy and phacofragmentation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the present study we determine the differences observed between 25-gauge-vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification, and the 20-gauge-vitrectomy combined with pars plana phacofragmentation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study of a sample of 987 eyes of 661 patients randomly divided into two groups. 25-gauge-vitrectomy plus phacoemulsification included 486 eyes, and 20-gauge-vitrectomy plus phacofragmentation 501 eyes. We evaluated the differences at the time of the surgery, the intra-and postoperative complications, and the variations in intraocular pressure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The final visual outcome was similar in both groups. The most important differences between groups were: surgical time was faster in group 1 than in group 2, (mean time: 35.16 +/- 3.49, 44.74 +/- 5.30 minutes). Intraoperative complications were more numerous in group 1. In group 1, postoperative low levels of intraocular pressure are present in all patients with 2.77% of patients with hypotension (<8 mmHg), and three choroidal effusion. In group 2, intraocular lens decentration and retinal detachment are more frequent (2.38% and 1.39%, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the present study, both techniques have a similar number of complications and have a similar postoperative outcome, and are valid for the management of the pathologies selected.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmic Service, Hospital Universitario Sant Joan, IISPV, Universidad Rovira I Virgili, Reus, Spain. romeropere@gmail.com
authors.forename: Pere
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Romero-Aroca
authors.forename: Matias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Almena-Garcia
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baget-Bernaldiz
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernández-Ballart
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Méndez-Marin
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bautista-Perez