Vitreous cavity lavage with a bended-needle system for postoperative vitreous cavity hemorrhage

To present a novel bended-needle drainage system in vitreous cavity lavage (VCL) for postoperative vitreous cavity hemorrhage (POVCH).

This retrospective case series include all patients with POVCH who received VCL with the bended-needle drainage system at ophthalmology department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2022 to May 2024. Patients adopted a supine position that allows preparation and draping. Balanced salt solution was injected with a 30 Ga needle. One bended 25 Ga needle was used to drain the blood. Primary outcomes include the visual acuity and short-term post-procedure complications. Secondary outcomes include preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and long-term complications.

Three patients with POVCH received the procedure, with two cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy and one case of primary central nervous system lymphoma. All patients recovered well after the procedure with minimal complications. Long-term prognosis largely depends on the primary retinal conditions.

In conclusions, VCL with the bended-needle system is safe and effective to manage POVCH with an outpatient surgery, which potentially benefits patients with similar conditions.