Intraoperative mechanical failure of a 25-gauge vitreous cutter.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the mechanical failure of a 25-gauge vitreous cutter intraoperatively and the management of this complication.


METHODS
An observational case report of a 39-year-old Type 1 diabetic woman with proliferative retinopathy who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with 25-gauge instrumentation.


RESULTS
Breakage of the 25-gauge vitreous cutter occurred during delamination of a dense fibrovascular plaque. The cutter was successfully removed via the trocar as a single unit. The patient recovered with no sequelae.


CONCLUSIONS
Breakage of 25-gauge instrumentation intraoperatively is a very rare event. This case constitutes only the second reported complication as such. However, it is easily managed and can result in few, if any, adverse sequelae.
From the Cincinnati Eye Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Matthew F
MF
Appenzeller
Michael R
MR
Petersen
Robert E
RE
Foster
Daniel M
DM
Miller
Christopher D
CD
Riemann