Oblique sclerotomy technique for prevention of incompetent wound closure in transconjunctival 25-gauge vitrectomy.

PURPOSE

To develop a surgical incisional technique that helps overcome incompetent sclerotomy closure previously reported in sutureless 25-gauge vitrectomy.

DESIGN

Prospective interventional case series report.

METHODS

We performed this surgical technique in 12 eyes of 12 consecutive patients scheduled for 25-gauge vitrectomy. The sclerotomy was created performing an oblique incision, a structural modification that helps the closure stay watertight once the cannulas are removed.

RESULTS

This technical variation resulted in no intraoperative leakage after cannula removal in any of the 36 sclerotomies performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Incision construction using this technique may resolve the reported sclerotomy leakage that in some cases had to be solved by suturing.