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Pars plana vitrectomy with a 20-gauge transconjunctival cannulated sutureless (TCS) system has the potential of combining the advantages of smaller-gauge vitrectomy systems with the economical advantage of not needing to purchase any additional handheld instruments. However, the sclerotomy size is much larger, and self-sealing sclerotomies may be more difficult to construct. Therefore, we evaluated the need for sclerotomy suturing after performing 20-gauge TCS vitrectomy.
A retrospective chart review was performed on the first consecutive 55 eyes of 54 patients who underwent 20-gauge TCS vitrectomy. The main outcome measure was the number of sclerotomies requiring suturing and complications.
Of the 164 sclerotomies made, 101 sclerotomies (62%) were not sutured, whereas the remaining 63 sclerotomies (38%) were closed with a single transconjunctival- scleral suture. The reasons for suturing included leakage and gaping at the sclerotomy, conjunctiva not covering the sclerotomy site, and prevention of gas leak. Complications noted include premature dislodging of cannulas, retinal tear, hypotony, hemorrhagic choroidals, subconjunctival gas, and less than full gas fill.
Twenty-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy is associated with risks similar to other cannulated systems while retaining most of the functionality and handheld instrumentation of the 20-gauge approach. A possibly higher sclerotomy suturing rate relative to smaller-gauge approaches is a disadvantage of this technique.