Abstract
Purpose::
To evaluate wound closure of sclerotomies after 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless pars plana vitrectomy using optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Methods::
Thirty eyes (15 with a macular hole and 15 with an epiretinal membrane) of 30 patients (mean age, 67.8 years; range 44-84) who underwent 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless pars plana vitrectomy were studied. The sclerotomy sites were measured by OCT with cross-section images vertical and parallel to the limbus on day 1 or 2, weeks 1 and 2, and months 1, 2, and 3 postoperatively.
Results::
The scleral wounds evaluated by OCT closed in 15.2% of eyes by 1 or 2 days, 30.9% by 1 week, 40.4% by 2 weeks, 44.4% by 1 month, 43.9% by 2 months, and 50.0% by 3 months postoperatively. No significant difference was found between eyes with a macular hole and eyes with an epiretinal membrane. There was no significant correlation between the wound closure rate and patient age.
Conclusions::
OCT can evaluate scleral wounds after 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless pars plana vitrectomy. Wound healing might be complete by 2 weeks postoperatively because the wound closure rate reached a plateau 2 weeks postoperatively.
Keywords: wound healing • sclera • vitreoretinal surgery