Comparison of the operative times and intraocular pressure of sutureless vitrectomy with a 27- versus 25-gauge system in eyes with epiretinal membrane

• Published in: Fujita Medical Journal
• Main Authors: Mayari Ito, Atsuhiro Tanikawa, Yoshiaki Shimada, Masayuki Horiguchi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Fujita Medical Society 2016-11-01
• Subjects: epiretinal membrane; 27-gauge vitrectomy; 25-gauge vitrectomy; surgical time; intraocular pressure
• Online Access: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/fmj/2/4/2_62/_pdf/-char/en

Objectives: To compare the time of operation and the postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) using a 27- versus 25-gauge three-port vitrectomy in eyes with epiretinal membrane (ERM). Methods: The clinical records of eyes with ERM that underwent combined cataract surgery and vitrectomy from January to April 2016 were analyzed. Thirteen eyes were treated using a 27-gauge system (27-g group) and 12 eyes were treated using a 25-gauge system (25-g group). The operating times were determined from video recordings. Results: The time of vitreous removal was significantly longer in the 27-g group (141.1 ± 34.1 s) than in the 25-g group (106.2 ± 24.1 s; P = 0.009). The IOP was significantly lower in the 25-g group than in the 27-g group on postoperative day 1 (27-g group, 18.3 ± 6.2 mmHg; 25-g group, 12.6 ± 3.6 mmHg; P = 0.008), but there was no significant difference on postoperative day 7. The times needed for removing the trocar and closing the port were not significantly different, but the number of the ports that required pressure to close was significantly greater in the 25-g group (35/36 ports) than in the 27-g group (31/39 ports; P = 0.0027), and the duration of pressure was significantly longer in the 25-g group (21.7 ± 13.8 s) than in the 27-g group (11.3 ± 5.2 s; P = 0.0183). Conclusions: The 27-g system is better regarding closure of the scleral port, which may reduce postoperative complications, but the prolonged surgical time may be a disadvantage.