Four hundred consecutive pars plana vitrectomies with the vitrophage

We performed 400 consecutive pars plana vitrectomies, using the vitrophage. Most patients (68%) showed some degree of visual improvement; only 8% had a decline in visual acuity postoperatively. The major operative complications were controllable bleeding from iris vessels and intravitreal stalks (19%) and retinal tears (2%). No retinal dialysis was noted. The major, early postoperative complications were related to corneal decompensation in 38% of the cases; this persisted beyond two weeks in only 7%. Increased intraocular pressure occurred in 19% and postoperative rubeosis iridis developed in 10% of the diabetic patients. Complications related to rebleeding occurred in 18% of the diabetic patients within the first two weeks, and an additional 9% had late rebleeding. Less frequent complications included one case of endophthalmitis, late retinal detachment in 5%, and phthisis bulbi in 2% of all cases. All complications were considerably more frequent and severe in the diabetic population.