title: Polyethylene Glycol-Based Synthetic Hydrogel Sealant for Closing Vitrectomy Wounds: An In Vivo and Histological Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We conducted an in vivo study using Dutch pigmented rabbit eyes to test the usefulness of polyethylene glycol (PEG) sealant for the closure of sutureless sclerotomies in microincisional vitrectomy surgery (MIVS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Three-port, 23-gauge vitrectomy was performed on rabbit eyes. After air leakage was confirmed by the application of 0.625% povidone-iodine at the sclerotomy site, PEG sealant was subconjunctivally injected using a 27-gauge needle through conjunctival incisions to cover the sclerotomy wounds, following which it was polymerized by the application of xenon light for 60 seconds. Ophthalmological examinations and intraocular pressure measurements were conducted the day before and 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after surgery. The eyes were enucleated for histological evaluation 7 days after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PEG sealant was rapidly polymerized by the application of xenon light after subconjunctival injection, and it firmly sealed the sclerotomies without air leakage, as confirmed by povidone-iodine dropping, in all cases. Conjunctival and scleral wounds closed with PEG sealant were successfully attached and remained intact till the end of the follow-up period. There was no sign of postoperative hypotony or infection in any eye, and no adverse effects of PEG sealant were found. In histological examination, linear scar formation and eosinophilic staining of collagen fibers were observed at the sclerotomy sites, while the sclerotomy tunnels appeared tightly closed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PEG sealant can be useful for the closure of sutureless 23-gauge vitrectomy incisions in rabbits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PEG sealant may become an effective option for closing vitrectomy incisions including pediatric cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: Sujin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hoshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: Fumiki
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Okamoto
authors.affiliation: Arai Eye Clinic, Fukuoka, Japan ; The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Mikki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arai
authors.affiliation: The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA ; Boston Eye Group, Brookline, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Tatsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirose
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fukuda
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshimi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sugiura
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oshika
keywords: sclerotomy; sealing; sutureless; vitrectomy