Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate epiretinal membrane surgery without vitrectomy with a transconjunctival device of 27 gauge.
Methods: :
A prospective non randomised study including 15 patients who underwent epiretinal membrane surgery under peribulbar anesthesia realised by 2 surgeons of our department. Epiretinal membrane peeling is realised through transconjunctival access with 27 gauge forceps without infusion and without vitrectomy. Visual acuity, difficulty of realisation of surgical approach by the surgeon (graded by 1: without any difficulty, to 5: very complicated) and the appearance of eventual complication during or after surgery was evaluated. Survey was 2 to 6 months.
Results: :
Mean age was 65 years (50-74 years). 60% of patients were women. 4 patients had already undergone previous vitrectomy during another surgical intervention. Another one patients presented an idiopathic epiretinal membrane with posterior vitreal detachment. The mean visual acuity raised from 3/10 to 6/10. More than 85% of patients presented disappearance or diminution of metamorphopsies. The mean difficulty of the surgical manipulation was equal for both surgeons 2 for first surgeon and 2.11 for second surgeon. No inflammatory complication appeared, nor retinal detachment.
Conclusions: :
The ablation of the epiretinal membrane by 27 gauge transconjunctival access without sutures and without vitrectomy can be an alternative to classic techniques of 25 and 23 gauges. The evaluation with a bigger number of patients is necessary to confirm the benefits of this technique.
Clinical Trial: :
CHNO Quinze-Vingts
Keywords: vitreoretinal surgery