A case-control study of suprachoroidal hemorrhage during pars plana vitrectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To investigate the risk factors associated with suprachoroidal hemorrhage (SCH) during vitrectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Of 6971 pars plana vitrectomies performed between May 1988 and December 1994, SCH occurred intraoperatively in 12 (0.17%) cases. Forty-two age- and sex-matched control subjects were selected by computer-generated random numbers. Preoperative and intraoperative variables were subjected to univariate and conditional logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Statistically significant risk factors for SCH after univariate analysis included myopia (P = .048), aphakia or pseudophakia (P = .024), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (P = .044), scleral buckling and/or encirclage at vitrectomy (P = .029), and longer duration of surgery (P = .044). Multivariate analysis revealed independent risks associated with the absence of a lens and longer duration of the surgery.

CONCLUSION

A knowledge of the risk factors involved with SCH helps the physician to identify patients who are at a greater risk for this complication.