Vitrectorhexis in penetrating eye injuries in adults

Vitrectorhexis is an alternative for manual continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis originally developed for paediatric cataract surgery. The aim of our study was the evaluation of the technique in adult patients with penetrating ocular injury and traumatic cataracts.

Eight eyes of 8 patients (23-41 years, all males) had penetrating mechanical corneal trauma. Anterior lens capsule was penetrated in all cases and additional posterior capsule defect in five cases. Intraocular foreign body was detected in one case in the crystalline lens and in two cases in the posterior segment. Standard 23G infusion cannula and vitreous cutter were applied to perform anterior capsule opening, removal of lens material, anterior vitrectomy and pars plana vitrectomy if needed. No phacoemulsification or irrigation/aspiration probe was used.

Vitrectorhexis could be performed in 7 out of 8 cases with the preservation of peripheral anterior capsule; primary implantation of posterior chamber intraocular lens was possible in all cases (in the bag in three eyes and into the sulcus in five eyes). Anterior chamber was stable in all cases intraoperatively, and no dropped nucleus or lens fragment loss was observed. Surgery was combined with pars plana vitrectomy in three cases, with foreign body removal (when necessary). No postoperative complication occurred.

Vitrectorhexis was found to be an effective and safe alternative method in the management of complex anterior segment trauma cases. With its use, traditional cataract surgical devices can be substituted and additional benefits of vitreous cutter can be utilized in selected cases, especially in young adults.