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This abstract is assigned to session SBO-BOG Free papers: Chirugische retina en vitreum / Rétine chirugicale et vitré

Title

Outcomes of 23-gauge vitrectomy in complex cases

Purpose	To evaluate the outcomes of 23-gauge vitrectomy in the treatment of cases with complex pathology including complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, proliferative vitreoretinopahty (PVR), retinal detachment with giant retinal tears, retinal detachment-retinoschisis, complications of retinal vein occlusions (CRVO, BRVO).
Methods	A retrospective chart review of 90 consecutive cases with complex pathology performed by three surgeons was done. In phakic patients older than 50 years phacoemulsification was combined with vitrectomy. Main outcome measures included visual acuity, intraocular pressure and operative complications. The mean follow-up was 6 months.
Results	Seventy-six of all the 90 eyes (85%) showed significant improvement of the visual acuity at the final postoperative examination after the mean follow-up of 6 months. Per-operative complications included retinal tears in 17 eyes (19%). Postoperative complications included retinal detachment in 5 eyes (5%), vitreous haemorrhage in 7 eyes (8%) and hypotony <5 mmHg in 9 eyes (10%). None of the complications that occurred influenced the final visual outcome. Phacoemulsification combined with vitrectomy was performed in 57 eyes (63%) without any complication.
Conclusion	Good choice of various 23-gauge instruments made it possible to apply all the standard procedures making the surgery suitable for larger number of indications including complex cases. Despite the complex pathology a vast majority of the operated eyes (85%) showed significant improvement of the visual acuity after the mean follow-up of 6 months.

Author 1

Last name	HAVERBEKE
Initials	G
Department	Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital
City	Uppsala/Sweden