This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Vitreous base shaving no longer necessary with new vitrectomy systems
 Homayoun Tabandeh |
LONDON — Recent advancements in intraoperative wide-angle visualization systems and small-incision vitrectomy make vitreous base shaving no longer necessary, a speaker said here.
"Though the vitreous base may theoretically play a role as a scaffold for anterior proliferative vitreoretinopathy, there is no evidence proving that vitreous base trimming prevents or reduces the incidence of [proliferative vitreoretinopathy]," Homayoun Tabandeh, MD, said at the Euretina meeting. "It might, in fact, just move the scaffold closer to the retina."
It is also a time-consuming maneuver that may lead to retinal breaks, cataract and zonular weakness, he said.
Looking back at his series of 156 consecutive cases operated since 2006 for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, Dr. Tabandeh said that vitreous base shaving should no longer be considered as a useful routine procedure.
"It would only add additional morbidity and surgical time," he said. "I did not perform it in any of the patients, and my results were extremely good. The retina was reattached in 99% of the cases, and significant improvement of vision was obtained."
- Disclosure: Dr. Tabandeh has no relevant financial disclosures.