Abstract
Purpose: :
to determine if there is any role for vitreous nettoyage (cleaning) at the end of the 25-gauge vitrectomy surgery in preventing post-operative ocular hypotony which is commonly encountered in the post operative course.
Methods: :
a single-center, prospective interventional study. It involved 50 consecutive patients undergoing 25-gauge vitrectomy for variable indications; most commonly being macular holes, epimacular proliferation and diabetic vitreous haemorrhage. Vitreous nettoyage was done in the second group only (25 patients). It involved applying balanced infusion-suction forces intra-operatively toward the end of the surgery to ensure a self-sealing sclerotomy wound without a vitreous plug. The intra ocular pressure (IOP) was measured on the first day post operatively (using Goldman’s applanation) and hypotony was defined as IOP<10 mmHg.
Results: :
the incidence of hypotony first day post-operatively in the first group was 53% compared to 16% in the vitreous nettoyage group. The mean IOP in the latter group was also higher (17 vs. 10 mmHg). That difference between the two groups in those primary outcomes was statistically significant.
Keywords: vitreoretinal surgery • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications • wound healing