23G transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy safe & effective

Twenty-three gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy is an effective surgical technique for the management of vitreoretinal diseases, according to a study published in the February issue of Retina.

Asheesh Tewari and colleagues from the Kresge Eye Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Michigan, US conducted a retrospective chart review of 81 consecutive 23-gauge vitrectomy cases carried out by a single surgeon for various posterior segment conditions.

Mean follow-up was 6.5 months (range: three to nine months). Mean preoperative visual acuity (VA) was 20/150 and final VA was 20/70 (p<0.0001). Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) on the first day postoperatively was 14 mmHg (range: 6 - 28 mmHg). There was a single case of intraoperative retinal tear that required treatment with cryotherapy and 20 eyes of 48 phakic eyes (42%) had worsening cataracts during the postoperative period. There were no recorded cases of endophthalmitis or retinal detachment.

It was the conclusion of the researchers that 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy is both safe and effective.