Comparison of 25-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and 20-gauge vitrectomy in the treatment of posterior capsule opacification in pseudophakic children

AIM: To compare the effectiveness and safety of pars plana capsulotomy and vitrectomy using 25-gauge tansconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy system and 20-gauge vitrectomy system for posterior capsule opacification (PCO) in pseudophakic children. METHODS: Retrospectively study. Pars plana capsulotomy and vitrectomy using 25-gauge sutureless vitrectomy system was performed for PCO in the study group (32 eyes). Patients in the control group (34 eyes) underwent capsulotomy and vitrectomy using standard 20-gauge vitrectomy system, providing a comparison between 2 groups with regard to preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and intraoperative and postoperative complications. The two groups were performed consequentially. The patients ages ranged from 2 to 13y (means: 6.61±2.73y). Surgical technique, intraoperative and postoperative complications, visual acuity, IOP, and recurrent PCO were recorded. RESULTS: The surgical procedure was performed uneventfully in all patients. Visual acuity improved significantly in both groups. BCVA improved in 22 eyes (81.5%) in the study group and in 28 eyes (87.5%) in the control group. There was no statistical difference of visual acuity that were attainable in two groups (H=0.115, P=0.909). Mean postoperative IOP showed no significant difference between the groups at 1wk. All sort of PCO were accomplished by 20-gauge system, while 25-gauge system was effective for pearls style and 2 grade of fibrous PCO, and was insufficient to grade 3 of PCO. In the study group two cases were not accomplished by 25-gauge system while 20-gauge system conquered them. Compared with the control group, mean operative time for opening and closing the sclerotomy in the study group was considerably reduced. The mean follow-up was 38.2mo (range: 8-79mo). During the follow-up period, no incision leakage, corneal edema, vitreous loss, IOL damage, retinal detachment, recurrent PCO, or other complications were noted. CONCLUSION: Pars plana capsulotomy and vitrectomy using 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy appeared to be a safe and effective approach for PCO in pseudophakic children. Combined sutureless surgery needed shorter setup time for sclerotomy and caused less surgical trauma than combined surgery with 20-gauge vitrectomy. Therefore, this type of procedure would be a good option for selected cases with PCO in pseudophakic children.     

Incidence of complications in 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy based on the surgical indications.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The complications of 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy based on the surgical indications were reviewed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight patients underwent 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy. Indications for vitrectomy, preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity, preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure, and any intraoperative or postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: Complications included the need to suture a leaking sclerotomy intraoperatively in four eyes (9%), all of which involved oil removal; postoperative hypotony with choroidals in two eyes (5%); mild progression of nuclear sclerotic cataract in one eye (2% of all eyes, 4% of phakic eyes); the need to switch to 20-gauge pars plana vitrectomy in one eye (2%); corneal abrasion in one eye (2%); and retinal detachment in one eye (2%). Sclerotomy leakage and hyopotony with choroidals were only encountered in cases involving previously vitrectomized eyes, whereas none of the eyes without previous vitrectomy had leakage-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: Previously vitrectomized eyes have a higher incidence of complications related to postoperative leakage, possibly due to the lack of plugging effect of peripheral vitreous on the unsutured sclerotomy. One should consider suturing any leaking sclerotomy at the conclusion of surgery involving previously vitrectomized eyes.     

Sutureless vitreoretinal surgery using a new 25-gauge transconjunctival system.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of vitreoretinal surgery using a new 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy system. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-one eyes of 41 consecutive patients were treated from July 2003 to October 2003. Diagnoses included diabetic vitreous hemorrhage (n = 19), diabetic tractional retinal detachment (n = 4), diabetic macular edema (n = 2), macular hole (n = 3), epiretinal membrane (n = 2), branch retinal vein occlusion (n = 3), central retinal vein occlusion (n = 1), vitreous opacity (n = 4), retinal detachment (n = 1), capsular block syndrome (n = 1), and submacular hemorrhage (n = 1). The procedure was combined with phacoemulsification in 14 eyes. RESULTS: All except 3 patients were operated on under retrobulbar anesthesia only. Four cases required the superior sclerotomy to be converted to a 20-gauge procedure. The mean operation time was 33 minutes and the mean balanced salt solution used was 59 cc. The mean visual acuity improved rapidly during 3 to 4 weeks following 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy from 20/275 to 20/125, and then to 20/100 during the subsequent 5 months. Transient hypotony occurred in only 1 eye. Neither wound leakage nor infection was identified. CONCLUSION: Despite some limitations in surgical indications, 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy appeared to increase the efficiency of vitrectomy and to facilitate postoperative visual recovery in various vitreoretinal diseases.     

Visual outcomes with 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of patients treated with 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy for various posterior segment conditions. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 81 consecutive 23-gauge vitrectomy cases done by a single vitreoretinal surgeon for various posterior segment conditions was done. All surgery was performed using the two-step 23-gauge system developed by Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center. All patients had at least 3-month follow-up. Main outcome measures included visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and operative complications. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 6.5 months (range 3-9 months). Mean overall preoperative visual acuity was 20/150 and final acuity was 20/70 (P < 0.0001). Mean intraocular pressure on postoperative day 1 was 14 mmHg (range 6-28 mmHg). There was a single case of intraoperative retinal tear that required treatment with cryotherapy. Twenty eyes of 48 phakic eyes (42%) had worsening of cataracts in the postoperative period. There were no postoperative complications of endophthalmitis or retinal detachment. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-three-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy is an effective surgical technique in the management of vitreoretinal diseases. Complications were rare and compared favorably with published literature on 20-gauge and 25-gauge surgery.     

Tissue glue in sutureless vitreoretinal surgery for the treatment of wound leakage.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To assess the surgical outcomes of the use of tissue glue to close sclerotomy sites when required and the views of ultrasound biomicroscopy of the sclerotomy sites in 23- and 25-gauge vitrectomy systems. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy was performed in 38 eyes and a 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy was performed in 46 eyes for various vitreoretinal diseases. Wound leakage occurred at the sclerotomy sites at the end of the surgery in 6 eyes with 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy and 7 eyes with 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy. The sclerotomy sites were closed by using tissue glue to prevent wound leakage and evaluated with ultrasound biomicroscopy postoperatively. RESULTS: No wound leakage was observed at the end of the surgical procedure or during the follow-up period. Abnormal fibrous ingrowth was not detected at the sclerotomy sites by means of ultrasound biomicroscopy. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated the efficacy of tissue glue for closing site ports when wound leakage is observed in transconjunctival sutureless vitreoretinal surgery.     

Corneal topographic changes and surgically induced astigmatism following combined phacoemulsification and 25-gauge vitrectomy

AIM: To evaluate corneal topographic changes and surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) after combined phacoemulsification and 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (25-G TSV). METHODS: A retrospective study on 96 eyes of 87 patients who underwent combined phacoemulsification and 25-G TSV. The different topographic parameters and SIA were analyzed pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: There was no significant changes in corneal topographic parameters at different follow up periods. Only surface regularity index changed significantly in the 2nd postoperative week and then returned to baseline values thereafter. Mean SIA gradually decreased to reach 0.12 D by the 6th postoperative month. CONCLUSION: Corneal surface and astigmatic changes are insignificant in either early or late postoperative periods following combined phacoemulsification and 25-G TSV. The SIA was the minimum among previous reports on sutureless vitrectomy alone or combined with phacoemulsification. Improvement of SIA did not stop at the 3rd postoperative month but it continued till the 6th month postoperatively.     

糖尿病视网膜病变23G和20G玻璃体手术

目的 对比观察23G和20G玻璃体手术治疗增生型糖尿病视网膜病变（PDR）的临床结果和并发症.方法 接受玻璃体切除手术治疗的PDR 52例（64只眼）纳入本回顾性对比研究.按其所接受的手术方式分为23G微创玻璃体切除手术组（23G组）和20G玻璃体切除手术组（20G组）,分别为32例（40只眼）和20例（24只眼）.手术后随访6个月,对比分析两组的最佳矫正视力,眼压及术中术后并发症情况.结果 两组术后1,3和6个月最佳矫正视力均比术前有显著提高（χ2=20.32,22.56,18.23,P＜0.01）.23G组术后第一天的眼压低于术前眼压（t=2.75,P＜0.01）.23G组的手术时间短于20G组（t=2.71,P=0.01）.除23G组有9只眼（22.5％）发生早期术后低眼压（与20G组比较,χ2 =4.56,P=0.03）,两组术中术后并发症情况无明显差异.结论 23G微创玻璃体切除手术治疗PDR的有效性与20G玻璃体切除手术基本相同,两者术中术后并发症情况差异无统计学意义.     

Surgically induced astigmatism in combined phacoemulsification and vitrectomy; 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy versus 20-gauge standard vitrectomy

Background

To study the surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) in combined phacoemulsification with 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) versus combined phacoemulsification with 20-gauge standard vitrectomy.

Methods

This is a prospective comparative study comprised of 40 eyes from 37 consecutive patients. Twenty eyes (19 patients) underwent combined phacoemulsification and 23-gauge TSV, and 20 eyes (18 patients) underwent combined phacoemulsification and 20-gauge standard vitrectomy. Corneal topography was obtained preoperatively and postoperatively at weeks 1, 4, 8, and 12. Main outcome measurement was SIA consisting of astigmatic amplitude and axis from cross cylinder form calculated by rectangular coordinate method using the Holladay-Cravy-Koch formula.

Results

The mean SIA was 1.07?±?0.57 diopters (D) in the 23-gauge TSV group and 2.09?±?0.81 D in the 20-gauge group at postoperative week 1. SIA of both groups at weeks 4, 8, and 12 significantly decreased from the SIA at postoperative week 1 (p?<?0.0001 for all 3 weeks). SIA of the 23-gauge TSV group was significantly less than that of the 20-gauge standard vitrectomy group at each postoperative period (p?=?0.001). SIA of the gas tamponade group in the 23-gauge TSV was significantly greater than that of the non-gas tamponade group at postoperative week one (p?=?0.039). Shifts of axis to other meridians returned to preoperative meridian in 12 eyes (85.7%) for the 23-gauge group and seven eyes (43.8%) for the 20-gauge group.

Conclusion

Combined phacoemulsification and pars plana vitrectomy (23-gauge and 20-gauge) could induce significant SIA at postoperative week 1, and decrease over 3 months. However, 23-gauge TSV showed less SIA and early stabilization compared to the 20-gauge standard vitrectomy.     

Clinical outcomes of 25-gauge vitrectomy surgery for vitreoretinal diseases: comparison of vitrectomy alone and phaco-vitrectomy

AIM: To compare the clinical outcomes of combined 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and phacoemulsification/posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC-IOL) implantation with vitrectomy alone surgery in patients with various vitreoretinal diseases. METHODS: A total of 306 eyes (145 with PPV alone and 161 with phaco-vitrectomy) were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. The surgical approach was 25-gauge PPV combined with phacoemulsification and PC-IOL implantation at the same time in eyes in phaco-vitrectomy group and only PPV in eyes in vitrectomy alone surgery group. The main outcome measures were postoperative clinical outcomes included anterior chamber inflammation, changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). RESULTS: The most common postoperative complication was anterior chamber reaction which has higher incidence in phaco-vitrectomy group (P<0.001). The mean postoperative 1st day IOP of vitrectomy alone group was significantly lower than that of phaco-vitrectomy group (16.3±5.8 mm Hg vs 17.8±8.1 mm Hg, respectively, P=0.02). Hypotony (IOP(8 mm Hg) was not different between groups in the postoperative 1st day (P>0.05). The mean preoperative visual acuity was not different between groups (1.6±0.9 logMAR vs 1.8±0.9 logMAR, respectively, P>0.05). However, the mean visual acuity was decreased in vitrectomy alone group at the final visit compared to phaco-vitrectomy group (1.2±0.8 logMAR, 0.9±0.7 logMAR, respectively P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Twenty-five gauge PPV combined with phacoemulsification surgery is a safe and efficient procedure, which can be preferred in phacic patients with a variety of vitreoretinal diseases compared to vitrectomy alone. Despite improved outcomes, this approach is not free of limitations as anterior chamber complications especially with combined surgery.     

无缝线无灌注25-G玻璃体手术系统治疗婴幼儿白内障的应用研究现状

后发性白内障是婴幼儿白内障术后最常见的并发症,为预防后发性白内障的形成,普遍采用的手术方式是白内障摘除、晶状体后囊膜切开联合前段玻璃体切除和人工晶状体植入.前段玻璃体切除仪是同步灌注、吸出与切除,切除最高频率为600次/min,切除头为18 G,术中、术后并发症多,操作难度大.扁平部20 G玻璃体切除需做2个巩膜穿刺口,拔管后需缝合,灌注液直接进入玻璃体腔,使玻璃体水化膨胀向前移动进入前房,对眼内组织扰动较大,而且20 G切除头相对婴幼儿眼球较大.25 G玻璃体切除最高频率为1500次/min,可将前段玻璃体整齐切除,减少了玻璃体牵拉和震动;只需做一个巩膜穿刺口,减少了术中出血,缩短了手术时间,同时也避免了术后由缝线污染引起的不适.本文就无缝线无灌注25 G手术治疗婴幼儿白内障的应用研究现状作一综述.     

Ocular surface fluid contamination of sutureless 25-gauge vitrectomy incisions

PURPOSE: To determine whether 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy incisions are more likely to allow the inflow of ocular surface fluid than sutured vitrectomy incisions. METHODS: Four groups of cadaver eyes underwent three-port vitrectomy in a laboratory setup. Groups A and B had 25-gauge vitrectomy, with and without conjunctival displacement, respectively, and were left unsutured. Group C had 25-gauge vitrectomy with suturing of the sclerotomies. Group D had 20-gauge sutured vitrectomy. In all groups, India ink was applied to the ocular surface after the procedure, and the intraocular pressure (IOP) was varied to simulate postoperative IOP changes. Histology of the incisions was performed. RESULTS: Ink particles were identified in the wound in over two-thirds of eyes that underwent 25-gauge sutureless vitrectomy. Conjunctival displacement had no effect on ink ingress. Sutured 25- and 20-gauge incisions did not demonstrate ink particles in the wound. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-five-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy incisions, with or without conjunctival displacement, allowed the entry of ocular surface fluid into the eye in this laboratory model. Based on the limited number of eyes examined in this study, sutureless vitrectomy techniques may carry an increased risk of bacterial contamination that could predispose to endophthalmitis. Suturing may protect against ocular surface fluid ingress.     

20-gauge transconjunctival pars plana vitrectomy.

This article describes a transconjunctival technique for pars plana vitrectomy using 20-gauge instruments. Sclerotomies are performed directly through the conjunctiva, Tenon's capsule, and sclera with a 19-gauge microvitreoretinal blade. A sutureless 20-gauge infusion cannula is then inserted and pars plana vitrectomy is performed in a standardized fashion using 20-gauge instruments. Each sclerotomy and its corresponding conjunctival incision is closed with a single stitch using a 7-0 polyglactin suture. This transconjunctival technique is a reasonable alternative surgical approach to minimize surgical trauma of tissues (eg, conjunctiva) and hasten postoperative recovery without the additional risks and costs associated with 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy.     

The safety and efficacy of transconjunctival sutureless 23-gauge vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of vitreoretinal surgery using a 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) system for various vitreoretinal diseases. METHODS: A retrospective, consecutive, interventional case series was performed for 40 eyes of 40 patients. The patients underwent vitreoretinal procedures using the 23-gauge TSV system, including idiopathic epiretinal membrane (n=7), vitreous hemorrhage (n=11), diabetic macular edema (n=10), macular hole (n=5), vitreomacular traction syndrome (n=5), diabetic tractional retinal detachment (n=1), and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (n=1). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and intra- and post-operative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Intraoperative suture placement was necessary in 3 eyes (7.5%). The median BCVA improved from 20/400 (LogMAR, 1.21+/-0.63) to 20/140 (LogMAR, 0.83+/-0.48) at 1 week (p=0.003), 20/100 (LogMAR, 0.85+/-0.65) at 1 month (p=0.002), 20/100 (LogMAR, 0.73+/-0.6) at 3 months (p=0.001). In 1 eye, IOP was 5 mmHg at 2 hours and 4 mmHg at 5 hours, but none of the eyes showed hypotony after 1 postoperative day. No serous postoperative complications were observed during a mean follow-up of 8.4+/-3.4 months (range 3-13 months) CONCLUSIONS: The 23-gauge TSV system shows promise as an effective and safe technique for a variety of vitreoretinal procedures. It appears to be a less traumatic, more convenient alternative to 20-gauge vitrectomy in some indications.     

Repair of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment using 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy

PURPOSE:: To evaluate the anatomical and visual outcomes of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repairs performed using 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy. METHODS:: A retrospective, noncomparative interventional case series including 53 consecutive eyes of 52 patients who underwent 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy to repair primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment was performed. Variables collected for the study were patient demographics, lens status, preoperative visual acuity, and macular status. Outcome measures included single-operation anatomical success rate, final anatomical success rate, postoperative visual acuity, and surgical complications. RESULTS:: The retina was reattached with a single operation in 39 (74%) of 53 eyes. The final anatomical success rate was 100%. The mean time to redetachment was 72 days (range, 13-334 days). Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (64%) and development of new retinal breaks (43%) were the most common reasons associated with redetachment. Mean visual acuity improved from 20/100 to 20/60 (P = 0.001); 55% of eyes had final vision of 20/40 or better. Three eyes (6%) developed postoperative choroidal hemorrhage. Three eyes (6%) developed visually significant macular pucker that required surgery. No postoperative hypotony or endophthalmitis was observed. CONCLUSIONS:: Repair of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments using 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy resulted in excellent final anatomical success rate and postoperative visual outcomes. However, redetachments due to new tears and/or proliferative vitreoretinopathy resulted in a lower single-operation success rate than those reported with 20-gauge systems.     

Examination of Self-Sealing Sclerotomy for Vitrectomized Eye under Gas Tamponade in 23-Gauge Transconjunctival Sutureless Vitrectomy

Introduction: To investigate whether a previous history of vitrectomy affects sclerotomy self-sealing under gas tamponade in 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy. Materials and Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed two groups, a vitrectomized group (seven consecutive cases) and an initial vitrectomy group (82 consecutive cases), who underwent 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy at Jikei University School of Medicine Daisan Hospital in Tokyo. Factors affecting sclerotomy self-sealing were examined using multiple regression analysis. The criterion variable was massage time, and independent variables were age, surgical time, axial length, vitreous incarceration, history of vitrectomy, preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), and postoperative IOP. Results: Age (F?=?10.4) was the only significant factor. History of vitrectomy was not a significant factor (F?=?0.06). Conclusions: Previous history of vitrectomy does not affect sclerotomy self-sealing under gas tamponade in 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy.     

Acute endophthalmitis after 25-gauge sutureless vitrectomy

Purpose To report a case with acute endophthalmitis as a postoperative complication of 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy. Methods A 65-year-old gentleman, who underwent 25-gauge sutureless vitrectomy for an idiopathic epiretinal membrane at Beyoğlu Eye Research and Training Hospital, presented with painful loss of vision three days later. For the treatment of acute postoperative endophthalmitis, revitrectomy, phacoemulsification with total capsulectomy and silicone oil injection were performed with intravitreal vancomycin and ceftazidim injections. No predisposing risk factors for endophthalmitis or postoperative hypotony were present. Results Cultures were positive for coagulase negative staphylococcus. He was treated with systemic moxifloxacin and topical ofloxacin, prednisolone acetate postoperatively. Intraocular inflammation resided in 10 days. Silicone oil was removed three months later. At the last visit after 10 months of follow-up, visual acuity increased to 20/63. Conclusions Postoperative endophthalmitis following 25-gauge sutureless vitrectomy occurred after 3 days in the absence of known predisposing factors. Endophthalmitis responded well to antibiotics and vitrectomy with a favorable visual outcome. Unsutured sclerotomies may provide a conduit for bacterial ingress. Preoperative prophylactic antibiotic usage may be considered as a preventive measure in sutureless vitrectomy.     

23G微创玻璃体切割术在孔源性视网膜脱离中的应用

目的：评估23G经结膜无缝线玻璃体切割手术治疗孔源性视网膜脱离的安全性及有效性。 方法：前瞻性选择2010-03/2011-06共26例26眼不伴有严重增生性病变的孔源性视网膜脱离病历,均行23G切割手术。记录术前、术后的最佳矫正视力（BCVA）、眼压,术中及术后并发症。 结果：一次性复位视网膜21例（81%）,最终复位视网膜25例（96%）。术后3mo最佳矫正视力较术前提高21例（80%）,不变3例（12%）,下降2例（8%）。术后1d眼压较术前下降,此差异有统计学意义（P<0.01）。低眼压（≤6mmHg）2例,持续2wk,但未发生脉络膜脱离。 结论：23G手术治疗孔源性视网膜脱离解剖复位率满意,术后视力改善明显。但23G微创手术的优势并没有在孔源性视网膜脱离的手术中得到充分体现,反而要面临更高的手术失败的风险。     

Combined 25- and 23-gauge surgery: a new sutureless vitrectomy technique.

The 25- and 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy techniques decrease the surgical trauma and improve patients' postoperative comfort. The disadvantages of the 25-gauge system include pliable instrument and slower gel removal. The 23-gauge system provides faster speed of vitrectomy and the instruments have stiffer shafts, but it requires a larger incision. To circumvent some of these limitations, a new sutureless transconjunctival vitrectomy technique that combines 23- and 25-gauge cannulas and instruments was studied. Fifty-three patients underwent vitreoretinal surgery using two 25-gauge ports for the infusion and light probe and one 23-gauge port for the vitreous cutter and various instruments. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were noted and no cases required conversion to another technique.     

The efficacy of retrobulbar block anesthesia only in pars plana vitrectomy and transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the adequacy of retrobulbar block anesthesia only in vitreoretinal surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved 90 patients, 25 who underwent 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy and 65 who underwent 20-gauge standard pars plana vitrectomy. Twenty-five of the 90 patients also underwent combined phacoemulsification and posterior intraocular lens implantation. The efficacy of retrobulbar block anesthesia only was assessed by monitoring vital signs during surgery, reviewing patient responses to a questionnaire regarding their experience during surgery, and analyzing surgical outcomes. RESULTS: Four patients complained of moderate pain during surgery, but no patient complained of severe pain. Infiltrative anesthesia was additionally required in 14 patients. No patient experienced intraoperative complications due to head movement. Increased systolic blood pressure greater than 15 mm Hg occurred in 11 patients and increased respiratory rate by 3 breaths per minute or greater occurred in 7 patients. Anatomical and functional success rates were 95% and 80%, respectively. Complications included manageable retrobulbar bleeding (1 patient) and postoperative neovascular glaucoma (2 patients). CONCLUSION: Vitreoretinal surgery, particularly 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy, can be safely and efficiently performed under retrobulbar block anesthesia only. Retrobulbar block anesthesia only could become a more acceptable anesthesia for vitreoretinal surgery for selected patients.     

Combined phacoemulsification, foldable intraocular lens implantation, and 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy

We describe a technique for combined cataract and vitreoretinal surgery using a 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy system. This technique was successfully performed in 20 consecutive cases. Outcomes were assessed in terms of visual acuity, intraocular pressure, postoperative refractive error, and incidence of complications. The technical feasibility, rationale, and advantages and disadvantages of this technique are discussed.