Purpose:

To determine anatomic and functional results with the complications and to evaluate the advantages, disadvantages of 23Gauge (G) transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy technique.

Materials-Methods:

Records of 17 eyes of 17 patients (mean age: 60 years) in which interventions like diffuse vitreoretinal dissection, silicone oil injection wouldn't be needed and PPV wouldn't be complicated and long lasting were screened. Intra- and postoperative complications as well as pre- and postoperative best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure and anatomical results of the surgery were reviewed.

Results:

The mean follow-up of the patients were 5.4 months. 23G PPV operation was ended successfully in eyes with vitreous hemorrhage (n=5), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n=7), epimacular membrane (n=3), macular hole (n=1), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (n=1). Suture was needed in one or two sclerotomy entry site in 6 eyes. One eye that developed endophthalmitis following 23G PPV underwent second operation. Two eyes developed intraocular pressure elevation that was controlled by medication. There was not statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative mean intraocular pressure values. Postvitrectomy hemorrhage was noted in 2 eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. No hypotonia, choroidal or retinal detachment was noted in any eyes. The average (± SEM) postoperative best corrected visual acuity (0.07 ± 0.05) was found improved (0.30 ± 0.08) at the last follow-up (P=0.011).

Conclusion:

In appropriate cases, 23G PPV technique was found effective in achieving successful anatomic and functional outcomes.

Keywords: 23 Gauge virectomy, epimacular membrane, macular hole, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, vitreus hemorrhage