Surgical management of postoperative endophthalmitis: comparison of 2 techniques.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of 2 surgical techniques in eyes with postoperative endophthalmitis.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, Dokuz Eylul University, School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.

METHODS

Twenty-four eyes with endophthalmitis after cataract surgery had vitrectomy as an initial procedure according to the Endophthalmitis Vitrectomy Study (EVS) criteria (Group 1, n = 24). These eyes were compared with 28 eyes that had total pars plana vitrectomy with an encircling band, silicone tamponade, and endolaser (Group 2, n = 28). The visual and anatomical outcomes and the need for additional procedures (repeat vitrectomy) were evaluated in the 2 groups.

RESULTS

In Group 1, 6 eyes (25.0%) had an additional procedure, 3 eyes (12.5%) had phthisis, and 21 eyes (87.5%) had successful surgery. In Group 2, no eye had an additional procedure, 1 eye (3.5%) had phthisis, and 27 eyes (96.4%) had successful surgery. The number of additional procedures was significantly less and the rate of surgical success was significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (P<.01).

CONCLUSION

Despite the poor visual prognosis of endophthalmitis surgery, more radical intervention can increase the chance of surgical success and decrease the number of additional procedures in eyes with postoperative endophthalmitis.