Anterior vitrectomy with triamcinolone improves outcomes

GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Performing anterior vitrectomy with adjunct use of triamcinolone helps prevent postoperative inflammation and corneal edema in cases of cataract surgery that are complicated by intraoperative vitreous loss, according to an ophthalmologist speaking here.

José Alberto Nava Garcia, MD, studied a series of 21 cataract patients treated for vitreous loss due to posterior capsule rupture or intracapsular extraction. Seven patients received an 0.05 mL dose of triamcinolone along with anterior vitrectomy, and 14 patients received anterior vitrectomy alone. Dr. Nava Garcia presented the results here at the Mexican Congress of Ophthalmology.

Postoperatively, eight of the 14 vitrectomy-only patients had vitreous projection at the wound site compared to none of the triamcinolone-treated patients, Dr. Nava Garcia said.

In addition, three patients in each group had IOPs higher than 25 mm Hg within the first 3 weeks postoperatively. But pressures were brought under control thereafter, Dr. Nava Garcia said.

Six cases in the vitrectomy-only group had postop corneal edema compared to none in the triamcinolone group, and neither group had any cases of endophthalmitis nor required a second surgery, he noted.

“[Triamcinolone] may be a good alternative for the management of cataract surgery complicated by a loss of vitreous in that it improves prognosis and avoids the need for secondary surgery,” Dr. Nava Garcia said.

Further study is warranted, he added.