Suprachoroidal hemorrhage as a complication of vitrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To study the risk factors, management, and end results of suprachoroidal hemorrhage that occur during or after vitrectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study involves patients suffering from this complication either during the curing process or immediately after vitrectomy. Preoperative risk factors, operative management, postoperative picture, and end results are reported.

RESULTS: During the study period, surgery was performed on 3342 patients with primary vitrectomy. Complications were experienced by 4 patients: 2 occurred near the end of vitrectomy, and 2 in the first postoperative day. The 4 patients were myopic more than 7 diopters, 2 were pseudophakic and 2 were aphakic. Cryopexy was used to treat the retinal breaks in the operative cases. Perfluorophenanthrene was used as a postoperative tamponade in one operative case. Reoperation was done in the 4 patients 3 to 8 weeks after surgery. Silicone oil was used as a prolonged tamponade in all cases. Hypotony persisted in operative cases. All the patients had vision more than 20/400 at the end of follow-up (6 to 24 months).

CONCLUSION: The risk factors for suprachoroidal hemorrhage were old age, high myopia, aphakia or pseudophakia, retinal detachment, and scleral buckle. Postoperative suprachoroidal hemorrhage has a better prognosis than the operative type. Perfluorophenanthrene "vitreon" as an operative and postoperative tamponade has a beneficial effect in keeping the retina attached and in preventing pooling of blood under the macula.