Combining cataract surgery with 25-gauge high-speed pars plana vitrectomy: results from a retrospective study

Ophthalmology. 2014 Jan;121(1):299-304. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2013.06.022. Epub 2013 Oct 15.

Abstract

Purpose: To report postoperative complications in eyes that underwent 25-gauge high-speed pars plana vitrectomy (25G HS-PPV) alone or combined with phaco-vitrectomy surgery for epiretinal membrane, vitreomacular traction, or macular hole.

Design: Retrospective, interventional case series.

Participants: A total of 565 eyes were included in this study of vitreoretinal surgery performed from April 2011 to June 2012 by a single surgeon.

Methods: Eyes were divided into 2 groups: group A included eyes that underwent phacoemulsification combined with 25G HS-PPV (348 eyes), and group B included pseudophakic eyes that underwent 25G HS-PPV alone (217 eyes). Follow-up was from a minimum of 4 months to a maximum of 14 months.

Main outcome measures: To evaluate and statistically compare the postoperative complications of these 2 surgical groups.

Results: During the follow-up, retinal detachment (RD) developed in 10 eyes (1.77%): 4 in group A and 6 in group B. Cystoid macular edema (CME) occurred in 5 eyes (0.87%): 3 in group A and 2 in group B. In 1 eye in group A, a dislocation in the anterior chamber of the posterior chamber intraocular lens was observed (0.18%). The statistical analysis, evaluated by the Fisher exact test, did not show a significant postoperative difference between these 2 surgical groups for RD (P = 0.19) or CME (P = 1.00).

Conclusions: The combination of cataract or lens phacoemulsification with 25G HS-PPV for vitreomacular diseases did not result in an increase in postoperative complications compared with 25G HS-PPV alone performed in pseudophakic eyes.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Epiretinal Membrane / surgery
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lens Implantation, Intraocular*
  • Male
  • Microsurgery
  • Phacoemulsification / methods*
  • Postoperative Complications*
  • Retinal Perforations / surgery
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Visual Acuity
  • Vitrectomy / methods*