[Systematic search of the posterior vitreous cortex during vitrectomy. Technique, complications and results]

We present the results of a prospective study trying to answer the question: when a clinical or echographic premacular vitreous detachment occurs, is it still possible to find a preretinal membrane at the surface of retina? We looked for such a membrane in 50 consecutive vitrectomies for various indications. We found and removed such a membrane in 42 cases but were unable to obtain histological examinations. Our conclusions are: most of the time, the diagnosis of total vitreous detachment is very difficult and the finding of a premacular membrane during vitrectomy is a frequent event.