Primary 23-gauge vitreoretinal surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Abstract: We evaluated 49 eyes of 49 consecutive patients who underwent primary 23-G transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) for RRD between January 2007 and July 2009.

The internal tamponades used in the treatment of RRD included GOT SF6 multi and GOT C3F8 multi (Alchimia, Ponte S. Nicolò, Italy).
Mean follow-up time was 8.9 ± 7.7 months (1-28 months). Retinal reattachment was achieved with a single operation in 47 (95.9%) of 49 eyes.

Mean logMAR visual acuity was 2.01 ± 0.47 preoperatively and 1.3 ± 0.5 postoperatively. Mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 14.1 ± 2.8 mmHg.

Mean postoperative IOP was 12.3 ± 3.6 mmHg at 1 day, 13.1 ± 2.1 mmHg at 1 week, 14.3 ± 2.2 mmHg at 1 month. Iatrogenic peripheral retinal break was observed in 1 eye (2.0% ) intraoperatively. No sutures were required to close the scleral or conjunctival openings, and no eyes required convertion of surgery to 20-G vitrectomy.

Primary 23-G TSV system was observed to be effective and safe in the treatment of RRD.