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Hypersonic vitrectomy has early encouraging clinical success
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NEW ORLEANS — The initial clinical results of hypersonic vitrectomy in 46 cases in the United States since Sept. 27, 2017, have been encouraging, according to a speaker here.
“The hypersonic vitrectomy device has been FDA approved. Our initial clinical experience is encouraging, but there is much more to learn and more to come,” Carl C. Awh, MD, said at Retina Subspecialty Day preceding the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting.
Hypersonic vitrectomy is a new method of vitreous removal in which ultrasonic power is used to actuate the vitrectomy probe in the Vitesse device (Bausch + Lomb). The tip of the devices oscillates at 1.7 million cycles per minute, which is not cutting but “hypersonic liquefaction,” Awh said.
The emulsified material is drawn through the probe and out of the eye through conventional means, he said.
The first human case was performed in India in July 2017. Since the initial case in India, Awh has performed 23 cases in the United States, with surgical indications including macular holes, macular epiretinal membranes, retained silicone oil, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, retained lens cortex and vitreomacular traction.
In the 23 cases, Awh said he encountered two complications: a retinal break in detached retina and pitting of an IOL during posterior capsulotomy.
“I realize now, for both of these I had the stroke setting too high, so we’re still learning how to use this,” he said. – by Robert Linnehan
Reference:
Awh CC. Hypersonic vitrectomy: Initial clinical experience. Presented at AAO Subspecialty Days; Nov. 10-11, 2017; New Orleans.
Disclosure: Awh reports he is a consultant with Bausch + Lomb.