27-GAUGE VITRECTOMY WOUND INTEGRITY: A Randomized Pilot Study Comparing Angled Versus Straight Entry in Fluid-Filled Vitrectomized Eyes.

PURPOSE: To compare clinical outcomes using angled versus straight trocar insertion during 27-gauge pars plana vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane.

METHODS

Pilot randomized controlled trial. Thirty eyes of 30 patients undergoing 27-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with membrane peeling for epiretinal membrane were randomized 1:1 to receive angled or straight trocar insertion. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and postoperative wound-related complications were compared.

RESULTS

Fifteen eyes were randomized to each the angled and straight incision groups. No significant difference in phakic status (P = 0.71) or preoperative IOP (15.1 ± 3.4 vs. 14.6 ± 3.0 mmHg, P = 0.67) existed between groups. On postoperative Day 1, eyes in the straight group had lower IOP compared with the angled group (11.8 ± 3.9 vs. 15.3 ± 5.2 mmHg, P = 0.04) and a relative decrease in IOP compared with preoperative values (11.8 ± 3.9 vs. 15.1 ± 3.4 mmHg, P < 0.01). No IOP difference between groups was present at Day 7 (P = 0.43) or Day 30 (P = 0.42). Postoperative complications included transient hypotony (1 eye, straight group) and serous choroidal detachment (1 eye, angled group).

CONCLUSION

Eyes with straight incisions had transiently lower IOP on postoperative Day 1, possibly suggestive of subclinical wound leak in the very early postoperative period. Overall, rates of hypotony and sclerotomy-related complications were similarly low between wound construction strategies.