Longer-term outcomes of transconjunctival sutureless 25-gauge vitrectomy

To report longer-term outcomes in eyes undergoing 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy.

Retrospective, noncomparative, case series.

Chart review of the initial 45 consecutive patients (45 eyes) that underwent TSV by one surgeon (T.S.H.) for idiopathic epiretinal membrane (n = 15), refractory diabetic macular edema (n = 11), idiopathic macular hole (n = 10), and nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage (n = 9). All patients had at least 6-month follow-up. Main outcome measures included visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure, intraoperative complications, and postoperative complications.

Mean follow-up was 13 months (range 6 to 25 months). Mean overall preoperative VA vs last postoperative VA was 20/229 and 20/65, respectively (P < .0001). Statistically significant VA improvement was seen for each patient subgroup. Mean preoperative intraocular pressure was 16.9 mm Hg (range 10-26 mm Hg). On postoperative day 1, week 1, and week 4, median intraocular pressure was 14.6 mm Hg (range 8-17 mm Hg), 17.6 mm Hg (range 8-38 mm Hg), and 17.7 mm Hg (range 9-33 mm Hg), respectively. No intraoperative complications occurred. Postoperative complications were 1 inferior retinal detachment (2.2%) 4 weeks after macular hole repair, 1 macular hole (2.2%) 6 months after epiretinal membrane peel, and 23 worsening cataracts in 29 phakic eyes (79.3%).

Less surgically complex vitreoretinal pathology may be successfully repaired with TSV. After a mean follow-up of more than 1 year, minimal complications were seen, and none was specifically related to the sutureless nature of the procedure.