Abstract
Purpose: :
23 g vitrectomy was performed initially in eyes with macular holes and epiretinal membranes. Since safety and skills improved, 23g vitrectomy was used for retinal detachments and diabetic cases.
Methods: :
In 12 eyes of 12 patients with retinal detachment a transconjunctival 23g vitrectomy was performed.Mean age of the patients was 61 years( 41 to 78 years) 4 women and 8 men were evaluated. 8 eyes had cataractsurgery with intraocular lens implantation within the last 5 years. All procedures were performed in local anaesthesia, using the BIOM and a combined infusion cannula with illumination. In all but one eye heavy liquids were used to attach the retina for photolasercoagulation. Fluid - air exchange was the final step in all surgeries before removing the trocars.
Results: :
Four eyes out of twelve required a second procedure due to retinal redetachment after a main observation period of 4.5 months. Only one eye presented with intraocular pressure under 12mmHg at the first postoperative day. In 11 eyes IOP was between 12 and 22 mmHg at the first day after surgery. In four eyes a mild hyphaema was observed due to the head down position required at the first night.
Conclusions: :
In this small case study no difference to the recent evaluation of our redetachment rate was observed. The benefit of transconjunctival 23g vitrectomy in retinal detachment for patients are the higher postoperative comfort without sutures and shorter time of surgery. No pain or other complications were documented. From our findings no difference to conventional 20g vitrectomy was seen. Although prospective studies are necessary, transconjunctival 23g vitrectomy in retinal detachment seems to be a comparable and appropriate method.
Keywords: retinal detachment • vitreoretinal surgery