title: Polyethylene glycol hydrogel polymer sealant for vitrectomy surgery: an in vitro study of sutureless vitrectomy incision closure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test a novel hydrogel sealant to secure sutureless sclerotomies under variable intraocular pressure conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  In cadaver eyes, 23- and 20-gauge (G) sclerotomies were constructed. Sixteen 23-G beveled sclerotomies were constructed in 4 eyes: 8 of the incisions were treated with hydrogel sealant, while 8 were left bare. All sclerotomies were monitored for leaks while the intraocular pressure was elevated. The pressure on incision leakage was recorded as the leak pressure (maximum tested = 140 mm Hg). Additionally, sixteen 20-G sclerotomies were constructed in 4 other eyes: 8 of the incisions were treated with hydrogel sealant, while 8 were sutured. These incisions were similarly pressure tested.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 23-G incisions, hydrogel sealant application to the incisions significantly increased the leak pressure relative to bare incisions: mean (SE), 131.8 (8.2) vs 39.5 (5.2) mm Hg, respectively (P < .001). Only 1 of the 8 sealant-treated 23-G incisions leaked below 140 mm Hg, compared with all of the 8 bare incisions. Among the 20-G incisions, there was no difference in leak pressure among sealant-treated and sutured incisions: mean (SE), 140.0 (0.0) vs 136.3 (3.8) mm Hg, respectively (P = .35). None of the 8 sealant-treated 20-G incisions leaked below 140 mm Hg, compared with 1 of the 8 sutured incisions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hydrogel sealant significantly increased the leak pressure among 23-G incisions relative to 23-G bare incisions and was equivalent to suturing among 20-G incisions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hydrogel sealants effectively close vitrectomy incisions and may decrease the incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis and hypotony.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. retina@uchicago.edu
authors.forename: Seenu M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hariprasad
authors.forename: Ajay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008866:Microsurgery; D008954:Models, Biological; D011108:Polymers; D012590:Sclera / Q000187:drug effects*; D012599:Sclerostomy; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014821:Vitrectomy; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate