Long-term Analysis of Surgically Induced Astigmatism after Combined Vitrectomy and Cataract Surgery versus Cataract Surgery Alone

Purpose: To compare the long-term changes in surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) in patients who underwent 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and cataract surgery together with patients who underwent cataract surgery only.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed SIA changes for 1 year after surgery in patients who received only cataract surgery using phacoemulsification (group 1) and patients who underwent 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and cataract surgery together (group 2). Flat keratometry (K1), steep keratometry (K2), and astigmatism axis were measured with automatic keratometry before and after the surgery. Vector analysis was used to calculate SIA at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. We then examined whether the SIA values at each time point were different between the two groups.Results: A total of 86 eyes were included in this study (group 1, n = 45; group 2, n = 41). The mean SIA values calculated at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery in group 1 were 0.83 ± 0.37, 0.69 ± 0.39, 0.60 ± 0.33, and 0.59 ± 0.33, respectively. In group 2, the values were 0.82 ± 0.47, 0.69 ± 0.38, 0.62 ± 0.28, and 0.61 ± 0.30, respectively. Over time, SIA decreased in both groups (all p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the mean SIA between the two groups at each follow-up time point after surgery (p = 0.296, p = 0.728, p = 0.361, and p = 0.356, respectively).Conclusions: When 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and cataract surgery were performed together, the astigmatism change caused by surgery did not show a significant difference compared with that of the group who received cataract surgery only. Thus, 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy may not significantly affect corneal astigmatism.

Multiple factors in the prediction of risk of recurrent vitreous haemorrhage after sutureless vitrectomy for non-clearing vitreous haemorrhage in patients with diabetic retinopathy

Background We aimed to analyse multiple factors in the prediction of risk of postoperative recurrent vitreous haemorrhage (RVH) for non-clearing vitreous haemorrhage in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) who underwent sutureless vitrectomy with 23- (23G) or 25-gauge (25G) narrow-gauge systems. Methods A retrospective consecutive case series design was used. DR patients who underwent sutureless vitrectomy for non-clearing vitreous haemorrhage between June 2017 and October 2019 were enrolled. All operations were performed at a tertiary hospital. Patient demographics and risk factors, including age, gender, duration of diabetes, preoperative fasting blood sugar levels (FBSL), systolic blood pressure (SBP), serum creatinine (Cr), urea, triamcinolone acetonide (TA), electrical coagulation, air-fluid exchange, pan‑retinal photocoagulation status (PRP), anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drug (anti-VEGF), and other factors, were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups based on the timing of their postoperative RVH: immediate postoperative RVH (within 2 weeks after operation) and delayed postoperative RVH (beyond 2–4 weeks after operation). Results Overall, 167 eyes (167patients) were enrolled. Seventy eyes were underwent 23G and 25G sutureless vitrectomy performed in 97 eyes, respectively. Postoperative RVH developed in 18 eyes (25.7%) in Group 23G and in 20 eyes (21.6%) in Group 25G (P = 0.540). Of these, 3 eyes (4.3%) had severed RVH in Group 23G compared with 5 eyes (5.2%) in Group 25G (P = 0.584). Delayed postoperative RVH occurred in 6 eyes (8.6%) in Group 23G and 8 eyes (8.2%) in Group 25G (P = 0.789). A binomial logistic regression analysis revealed that age, duration of diabetes, and Cr level were significantly associated with RVH in both Group 23G (P < 0.05) and Group 25G (P < 0.05). Conclusions The incidence and severity of RVH were 25.7% and 4.3%, respectively, in Group 23G and 21.6% and 5.15%, respectively, in Group 25G. Thus, the 23G sutureless vitrectomy approach was as safe as the 25G sutureless vitrectomy approach for treating vitreous haemorrhage in patients with DR. A younger age, shorter duration of diabetes, and higher Cr levels were risk factors for postoperative RVH in sutureless vitrectomy.

Evaluation of leakage resistance improvement in transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy sclerotomies closed with adhesives. an experimental study

Background The purpose of this paper is to study the utility of adhesives (artificial-cyanoacrylate and biological-fibrin glue) for improving transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) sclerotomy closure competency. Methods Experimental and observer-masked study in which after performing TSV in cadaveric pig eyes, different adhesives were tested on sclerotomy entrances in order to determine if they improved closure competency in face of progressive intraocular pressure increase. In 76 eyes cyanoacrylate-treated sclerotomies were compared with sclerotomies in which no additional manoeuvre to aid closing was performed; in 76 eyes fibrin glue with no manoeuvre; and in the last 76 eyes, cyanoacrylate-treated sclerotomies were compared with fibrin glue-treated sclerotomies. Results A total of 228 eyes had a 23-gauge TSV performed. Both cyanoacrylate and fibrin glue treated sclerotomies achieved higher mean opening pressures when compared with nontreated sclerotomies in the same eye (p < 0.002). When cyanoacrylate was compared with biological adhesive in the same eye, no statistically significant differences were obtained (p = 0.216). Discussions This experimental study provides support for the possible role of adhesives in improving TSV sclerotomy closure competency in clinical practice.

A Propensity-Score Matching Comparison between 27-Gauge and 25-Gauge Vitrectomy Systems for the Repair of Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Purpose. To compare the anatomical and visual results and complications of 27-gauge versus 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy for the management of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Methods. A prospective, propensity score-matched 6-month study was performed. All patients underwent either 27-gauge or 25-gauge vitrectomy as the first surgical intervention and were followed up over a 6-month period, in order to evaluate anatomical success, change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and intraoperative and postoperative complications including intraocular pressure dysregulation. Results. Propensity score matching resulted in two groups of 37 eyes each. All eyes completed a six-month follow-up. Baseline demographic and preoperative ocular characteristics showed no statistically significant difference between the two cohorts. The single operation success rate was 33/37 (89%) for 27-gauge cases and 34/37 (92%) for 25-gauge cases (p=0.7). The final anatomical success rate was 100% for each of the two cohorts. Mean BCVA change at the 6-month postoperative follow-up visit was −0.67 logMAR in the 27-gauge group and −0.71 logMAR in the 25-gauge group (p=0.9). Two patients in the 25-gauge group experienced transient hypotony after surgery. Conclusion. No significant difference between 27-gauge and 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy for the repair of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment was recorded in terms of reattachment rate, BCVA, intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Long-term Safety and Efficacy of Sutureless Vitrectomy for Combined Epiretinal and Internal Limiting Membrane Removal

Purpose: The purpose of this case series is to evaluate the long-term visual outcomes of patients undergoing epiretinal membrane (ERM) removal combined with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling via sutureless vitrectomy. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 45 patients (45 eyes) with ERMs treated with 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) from 2010 to 2011. Data assessed included baseline characteristics, preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ERM recurrence rate during follow-up, and complications arising during follow-up. Results: PPV resulted in a statistically significant improvement in BCVA (20/61 preoperatively, 20/41 1 year postoperatively, and 20/45 at the end of follow-up). Mean duration of follow-up was 66.3 months (range, 26-89). Forty-one of 45 (91%) eyes had improved or stable vision, while 4/45 (8.9%) had worse vision. ERMs recurred in 12/45 eyes (26.7%), of which 1/45 (2.2%) required reoperation. The remaining 11 recurrent ERMs were documented as visually insignificant. Mean time to ERM recurrence was 29.3 months (range, 4-72). Conclusions: In one of the longest mean follow-up studies to date, small-gauge PPV for ERM and ILM removal results in statistically significant and stable long-term visual improvement. Despite ILM removal, ERMs did recur in a substantial proportion of patients, though the vast majority were not visually significant.