Sutureless vitrectomy technique shows efficacy in pseudophakic retinal detachment

Primary 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy can be an effective option for treating uncomplicated pseudophakic retinal detachment, according to a study by researchers in Turkey.

Fatih Horozoglu, MD, and colleagues in Istanbul evaluated the anatomic and functional outcomes for 15 eyes of 15 patients who underwent the surgery for primary pseudophakic retinal detachment with macular detachment and stage B or lower proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

In all cases, surgeons performed pars plana vitrectomy using a 25-gauge system and a transconjunctival approach. The surgery included injecting perfluorocarbon liquid followed by air exchange, endolaser photocoagulation and 20% sulfur hexafluoride gas injection, according to the study.

At 9.2 months mean follow-up, 93% of eyes had achieved reattachment after undergoing a single procedure, and all eyes achieved reattachment after additional surgery, the authors reported.

All eyes had a visual acuity of less than 20/200 preoperatively. After surgery, eight eyes (53%) achieved a visual acuity of 20/40 or better, and seven eyes (47%) achieved between 20/50 and 20/200, according to the study.

"No severe hypotony was encountered, and no sutures were required to close the scleral and conjunctival openings," the authors noted.

The study is published in the September-October issue of Indian Journal of Ophthalmology.