ALL-PROBE VITRECTOMY DISSECTION TECHNIQUES FOR DIABETIC TRACTIONAL RETINAL DETACHMENTS: Lift and Shave.

PURPOSE: To describe the all-probe lift and shave technique to remove fibrovascular tissue and repair diabetic retinal detachments. Anatomical and visual acuity outcomes with this technique are presented.

METHODS

In this single surgeon, retrospective review of a consecutive series of eyes with tractional retinal detachment associated with diabetic retinopathy repaired with probe-only dissection techniques. The technique of alternating aspiration with blunt dissection and shaving with the vitrectomy probe is described and shown in video.

RESULTS

Forty-two eyes with tractional retinal detachment were successfully repaired and achieved anatomical attachment with the lift and shave technique. Twenty eyes were repaired with 27 g vitrectomy and 22 eyes with 25 g. Ninety percent of eyes improved two or more Snellen lines. Minimum follow-up was 6 months. Complications included iatrogenic breaks in one eye (5%), nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage in four eyes (9%), and reoperation in three eyes (7%) for epiretinal membranes.

CONCLUSION

The all-probe lift and shave technique of fibrovascular dissection is a streamlined approach for the management of tractional retinal detachments. Advantages include the need for minimal ancillary instrumentation, increased efficiency, and reduced complications.