Initial experience using the transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy system for vitreoretinal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the initial experience and to evaluate the safety and feasibility of using the 25-gauge Transconjunctival Sutureless Vitrectomy System (TSV) for a variety of vitreoretinal procedures.

DESIGN: Retrospective review of a consecutive interventional case series.

PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-five eyes of 33 patients, including cases of idiopathic epiretinal membrane (12 cases), retinal detachment (6 cases), macular hole (5 cases), branch retinal vein occlusion (4 cases), retinopathy of prematurity (4 cases), persistent diabetic macular edema (1 case), diabetic vitreous hemorrhage (1 case), retained lens material after cataract extraction (1 case), and Norrie disease (1 case).

INTERVENTION: All patients underwent surgery using the 25-gauge TSV.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intraocular pressure, visual acuity, and postoperative complications.

RESULTS: The median preoperative intraocular pressure was 16 mmHg (range, 10-21 mmHg), whereas the median intraocular pressure on the first postoperative day was 12 mmHg (range, 6-28 mmHg). The median intraocular pressure at 1 week and 1 month were both 16 mmHg (range, 10-30 mmHg). Overall, the median preoperative visual acuity was 20/100 (range, 20/30 to hand motions), and the median postoperative visual acuity after a mean follow-up of 14 weeks (range, 1-60 weeks) was 20/60 (range, 20/20-20/150). One eye developed a postoperative retinal detachment.

CONCLUSIONS: The 25-gauge TSV seems to be practical and safe for a variety of vitreoretinal procedures. The concept of transconjunctival surgery has the potential to increase the efficiency of a variety of vitreoretinal surgeries and possibly hasten the postoperative recovery and outcomes in several conditions by simplifying the surgical procedure; minimizing surgically induced trauma; and decreasing the convalescence period, the operating time, and the postoperative inflammatory response.