[The status of vitrectomy at present (author's transl)]

Besides vitreous suction, vitrectomy gains an increasing method in vitreous surgery. Regarding the access to the vitreous cavity, the open sky vitrectomy and the vitrectomy via pars plana have been introduced. The principles of the various instruments for simultaneous cutting and suction of the vitreous body are discussed. From the published results some conclusions can be made concerning the actual indications of vitrectomy. Finally the prospects and limitations of the operation are ventilated as far as it can be done in the present state of development.