This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
25-gauge system has shown advantages in vitreoretinal surgery
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
WAILEA, Hawaii — Vitreoretinal surgery with 25-gauge instruments gives surgeons “numerous advantages,” according to one researcher and clinician.
Eugene de Juan, MD, said that 25-gauge instrumentation should be used “in the majority of vitrectomy cases because of improved patient outcomes, greater safety and shorter operating times.”
At Retina 2006, held in conjunction with Hawaiian Eye 2006, Dr. de Juan said that since 25-gauge technology was introduced in 2000, “all major vitreous surgical instruments have embraced this technology,” including Bausch & Lomb, Alcon, Synergetics and DORC Ophthalmics. He said most of these companies are also working to improve their systems.
Dr. de Juan said, however, that the risk of endophthalmitis after TSV-25 surgery remains “unclear.”
“Because of reduced conjunctiva washing and shortened surgical times, the surgery becomes similar to cataract in terms of infection risk,” he said.
Although the risk is small, “increased care is needed for surgical prophylaxis,” Dr. de Juan said.