Abstract
Purpose: :
To describe the initial experience, effectiveness, and safety profile of 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy for primary closure of macular holes.
Methods: :
A single-center, retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series was conducted of the initial 13 consecutive patients (14 eyes) who underwent 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy by 5 surgeons from May 2007 through October 2007.
Results: :
Anatomic closure rate based on optical coherence tomography was eighty-six percent (12 of 14 eyes). Mean follow-up time was 61 days (range 32 to 104 days) and mean visual acuity improved from 20/214 at baseline to 20/86 (p=0.0328). No patients had postoperative hypotony, 4 patients required an intraoperative sutured sclerotomy, and intraoperative tears were noted and repaired in 2 patients.
Conclusions: :
Twenty-three gauge vitrectomy is effective for the primary closure of macular holes. The efficacy and safety profile compare favorably with published rates for 20 and 25-gauge vitrectomy.
Keywords: vitreoretinal surgery • macular holes