Eye Care Services

Vitreo Retinal Surgery

Purpose:

To directly compare the per-operative safety and efficacy of the 20- and 23-gauge vitrectomy systems as well as day 1 intraocular pressure (IOP).

Method:

Data were collected on 50 consecutive vitrectomy cases performed using the 20-gauge system and 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy. All surgeries were carried out by one surgeon (RLB) at a single centre. Data collected prospectively included indication for surgery, iatrogenic retinal tears, and operating times.

Introduction:

Since the introduction of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in 1971, one of the most revolutionary developments in vitreoretinal surgery over the past few years has been transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV). Fujii et al introduced the 25-gauge TSV in 2002 and 3 years later, based on the same surgical principle, Eckardt developed the 23-gauge TSV. Compared to the traditional 20-gauge vitrectomy system, the 23-gauge system allows for small incision, self-sealing, sutureless transconjunctival pars plana sclerotomies. This offers a number of potential advantages including decreased surgical trauma, less postoperative inflammation, and faster postoperative recovery time. Eliminating suturing may also shorten total operating time. The purpose of this study was to directly compare the preoperative safety and efficacy of the 20- and 23-gauge systems as well as the intraocular pressure (IOP) on day 1 following surgery.