Ultrasound biomicroscopy of sclerotomy sites after conventional and sutureless (23, 25 G) pars plana vitrectomy

Purpose
To evaluate postoperative outcomes of transconjunctival sutureless pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), conventional PPV, and transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) sclerotomy sites were compared using UBM.


Patients and methods
A total of 30 patients underwent complete ophthalmological examination. Conventional PPV was performed following the same surgical techniques, and all TSV procedures were performed by one surgeon. The 20-, 23-, and 25-G vitrectomy systems were used, with 10 patients in each gauge. UBM examination was performed after 1–30 days following surgery to locate and document the sclerotomy sites.


Results
The 20, 23, and 25 G sclerotomies showed no statistical difference in site diameter at UBM. All patients had at least two diameters of the incision measured, and all wounds were constructed obliquely. The mean size of 20 G sclerotomy was 375.40±83.70 µm (range, 280.4–695 µm) and coefficient of variation was 0.21. The mean size of 23 and 25 G sclerotomy was 315.5±56.8 µm (range, 253.2–362.5 µm; coefficient of variation=0.26; P<0.556).


Conclusion
Postoperative UBM examination allowed the evaluation of the wound architecture and showed no statistical difference between conventional 20 G and TSV 23, 25 G sclerotomies.