Retrospective Comparison of 25- and 23-Gauge Microincision Vitrectomy Surgery and 20-Gauge Vitrectomy for the Repair of Macular Hole Retinal Detachment.

PURPOSE

To compare the anatomical and functional outcomes of 25- and 23-gauge microincision vitrectomy surgery (25G and 23G MIVS) instrumentation with the standard 20G pars plana vitrectomy (20G PPV) system in the treatment of primary macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD).

DESIGN

A retrospective comparative study.

METHODS

Forty-six eyes of 45 patients with MHRD underwent pars plana vitrectomy from March 1, 2006 to April 31, 2011. Fourteen, 13, and 19 eyes underwent 20G PPV, 23G MIVS, and 25G MIVS, respectively. The analysis included characteristics of the patients, single operation reattachment rate, final reattachment rate, closure rate of the macular hole, and rate of complications. The median follow-up period was 273 days.

RESULTS

Preoperative characteristics were similar in the 3 groups. The single operation success rate was 11 (79%) of 14 for 20G PPV, 10 (77%) of 13 for 23G MIVS, and 14 (74%) of 19 for 25G MIVS (P = 0.95). The closure rate of the macular hole was 9 (64%) of 14 for 20G PPV, 9 (69%) of 13 for 23G MIVS, and 11 (58%) of 19 for 25G MIVS (P = 0.78). One hundred percent of patients achieved final reattachment after multiple surgeries, excluding 2 patients who dropped out during the follow-up period. Rates of visual recovery and complications, including hypotony, were similar for all 3 procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

The outcomes of 25G and 23G MIVS for the management of MHRD did not differ significantly from 20G PPV. Microincision vitrectomy surgery may be considered an alternative treatment, even for MHRD.