title: Conjunctival pigmentation after 23-gauge microincisional vitrectomy surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate cases with conjunctival pigmentation originating from sclerotomy sites after 23-gauge microincisional vitrectomy surgery (MIVS).
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective study comprised of 185 eyes from 185 consecutive patients who underwent 23-gauge MIVS. The authors investigated the incidence and the clinical factors associated with conjunctival pigmentation, including indication of vitrectomy and surgical procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight eyes (4.3%) from 185 eyes showed conjunctival pigmentation after surgery within 7 days postoperatively. Light microscopic examination of excised tissue showed infiltration of abundant dark brownish colored melanophages with surrounding scattered, finely granular, melanin pigments. C3F8 gas tamponade (OR, 9.4; 95% CI, 1.9-44.5; P=0.005) was significantly associated with conjunctival pigmentation. The mean surface area (21.26±2.21 mm(2)) of three eyes with C3F8 tamponade was significantly larger than that of five eyes (2.51±0.73 mm(2)) without tamponade (P=0.025). Neither leakage nor hypotony was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intraocular melanin pigments could prolapse through the sclerotomy site and cause conjunctival pigmentation after 23-gauge MIVS. Thus, preoperative warning is necessary in patients with 23-gauge MIVS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Chung-gu, Daegu, South Korea.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods