Abstract
Purpose :
To analyze the prevalence rates of endophthalmitis following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) based on the various surgical tamponades.
Methods :
A retrospective cohort study was performed at a private retinal practice, Retina Associates of Cleveland, inc., in Ohio. All data was collected from patients identified as having developed endophthalmitis after undergoing pars plana vitrectomy over a 13-year period. The date of surgery, diagnosis, onset of endophthalmitis symptoms, visual acuity, case length, and type of surgical tamponade used were collected. IRB approval was not sought for this study as no personal health information was accessed. A chi-squared test was utilized for statistical comparison of the incidence of endophthalmitis and surgical tamponades utilized at the practice; gas-filled, fluid-filled, silicone oil, and air-filled.
Results :
During April and May of 2023, 435 PPVs were performed. Of the four types of surgical tamponades utilized for PPVs, 183 were gas-filled (42%) with a composition of 12-15% C3F8 or 20-25% SF6, 169 were fluid-filled (38.9%), 45 were filled with silicone oil (10.3%), and 38 were air-filled (8.7%). This study found a total of 27 documented cases of endophthalmitis following PPV; 25 (92.6%) were associated with fluid-filled tamponades, one (3.7%) with gas-filled, and one (3.7%) with oil-filled. A chi-squared test yielded a statistically significant association between the type of tamponade used and the incidence of endophthalmitis, with a p-value of <0.0001.
Conclusions :
The results of this study identified a statistically significant association between the type of surgical tamponade used during a pars plana vitrectomy and the development of endophthalmitis. This study found that a majority (92.6%) of the endophthalmitis cases were linked to the use of fluid-filled tamponades, despite accounting for only 38.9% of the cases at the practice. These results suggest a potential benefit in reducing postoperative endophthalmitis by considering the use of surgical tamponades other than fluid.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.