Transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy for the treatment of vitreoretinal complications in patients with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

To compare the safety and effectiveness of 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) with conventional 20-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for the treatment of vitreoretinal complications in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Forty-five eyes of 44 consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus who had undergone 25-gauge TSV for the treatment of vitreous hemorrhage, traction retinal detachment, or diabetic macular edema and 45 control patients with diabetes mellitus who had undergone conventional 20-gauge PPV were studied.

RESULTS

The mean duration of surgery in the 25-gauge TSV group was statistically significantly shorter than that in the 20-gauge PPV group. The mean visual acuity at both 1 week and 1 month after surgery was statistically significantly better in the 25-gauge TSV group than in the 20-gauge PPV group. Complications in the 25-gauge TSV group were similar to those in the 20-gauge PPV group.

CONCLUSION

A shorter operation time and faster recovery of postoperative visual acuity were the main advantages of using 25-gauge TSV. Despite its limitations, 25-gauge TSV can be safely used for the treatment of vitreoretinal complications in patients with diabetes mellitus.