Bacterial endophthalmitis following 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy

• Main Authors: Drew N Sommerville, Dean P Hainsworth
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2008-09-01
• Series: Clinical Ophthalmology
• Online Access: http://www.dovepress.com/bacterial-endophthalmitis-following-25-gauge-transconjunctival-suturel-a2242

Drew N Sommerville, Dean P HainsworthThe Mason Eye Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USAPurpose: To report a case of endophthalmitis following 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy.Design: Observational case report.Methods: An 87-year-old male who underwent sutureless 25-gauge vitrectomy developed unilateral endophthalmitis. Vitreous culture revealed Staphylococcus coagulase-negative bacteria. He was subsequently treated with intravitreal antibiotics and oral prednisone.Results: The endophthalmitis resolved with a best corrected visual acuity of 6/200 with the presence of an epiretinal membrane.Conclusions: Possible contributing factors to endophthalmitis following sutureless vitrectomy include decreased vitreous irrigation/lavage, lack of a watertight wound, and/or vitreous wicking, all of which may promote intraocular bacterial entrance. A sutureless vitrectomy system may increase the risk of vitrectomy-associated endophthalmitis.Keywords: endophthalmitis, 25-gauge vitrectomy, vitreous wick, sutureless, high flow lavage