Removal of silicone oil with 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy system.

PURPOSE: To report a new and simple technique for silicone oil removal from pars plana with 25-gauge (G) transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy system (TSVS).

METHODS

In this prospective, interventional clinical trial, 13 eyes underwent silicone oil (1000 centistokes) removal from pars plana passively, with 25-G TSVS, between January and May 2005. Main outcome measures were postoperative visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), silicone oil removal time, complications, and number of sutured sites.

RESULTS

In all eyes silicone oil was removed successfully under sub-Tenon (n = 12) and topical (n = 1) anesthesia. The mean silicone oil removal time was 7.27 +/- 0.48 minutes. No intraoperative complications were reported. No suture placement was necessary. Mean postoperative follow-up period was 3.92 +/- 1.49 (range: 3-7) months. Visual acuity improved or stabilized in 11 (84.61%) eyes. Retinal redetachment occurred in 2 (15.38%) eyes resulting in a decrease in vision. Decrease in postoperative IOP was found only at 2 hours (P = 0.003). Postoperatively, transient hypotony at 2 hours (n = 1) and transient vitreous hemorrhage (n = 1) were noted. There were no cases of choroidal detachment, endophthalmitis, clinically significant corneal endothelial decompensation, or macular edema.

CONCLUSION

Removal of silicone oil of 1000 centistokes with 25-G transconjunctival sutureless sclerotomies was effective and safe.