Successful outcomes of 25- and 23-gauge vitrectomies for giant retinal tear detachments.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The authors examined the feasibility of performing 25- and 23-gauge micro-incision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS) for a giant retinal tear.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The medical records of 12 eyes of 11 patients with giant retinal tear who underwent MIVS using perfluorocarbon liquids were reviewed. All patients were observed for at least 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

An intraoperative re-attachment was achieved in 12 eyes (100%) and 11 eyes (92%) remained attached without intraocular tamponade. Silicone oil was used in 9 of 12 eyes and removed 2 weeks after the initial vitrectomy except in one eye. The postoperative retinal complications included macular pucker in two eyes, subretinal perfluorocarbon liquid in two eyes, retinal folds in one eye, cystoid macular edema in one eye, and redetachment due to proliferative vitreoretinopathy in one eye.

CONCLUSION

Although the study had a short follow-up period, primary MIVS appears to be safe and feasible for giant retinal tear surgery.