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Retinal breaks in small-gauge pars plana vitrectomy.
Rita Ehrlich1, Yi Wei Goh, Nadeem Ahmad
1Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand. ritaehrlich@gmail.com
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|February 7, 2012
Summary
Peripheral iatrogenic retinal breaks are infrequent complications of small-gauge vitrectomy. This study found that entry site breaks occurred in only 3.2% of cases, indicating a low risk associated with these procedures.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Surgery
Background:
- Small-gauge pars plana vitrectomy is a common surgical technique.
- Iatrogenic retinal breaks can be a complication of vitreoretinal surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of peripheral iatrogenic retinal breaks during small-gauge pars plana vitrectomy.
- To assess the incidence of entry site breaks in 23- and 25-gauge vitrectomy.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, single-center, noncomparative interventional case series.
- 184 patients undergoing 23- or 25-gauge vitrectomy were included.
- Retinal breaks at entry sites were prospectively recorded.
Main Results:
- Retinal breaks occurred in 15.7% of patients.
- Breaks related to sclerotomies (entry site breaks) were found in 3.2% of cases.
- No statistically significant difference in break frequency was noted between 23- and 25-gauge vitrectomy.
Conclusions:
- Entry site retinal breaks are uncommon in small-gauge vitrectomy.
- The risk of iatrogenic retinal breaks related to sclerotomies is low.
