SCLEROTOMY LEAKAGE IN TRANSCONJUNCTIVAL SMALL-GAUGE PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY: Effect of Removing the Cannula Over the Light Pipe.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of cannula removal over the light pipe on the incidence of sclerotomy leakage and to evaluate other factors that may influence the incidence of sclerotomy leaks and hypotony on conclusion of small-gauge transconjunctival pars plana vitrectomy. METHODS: Retrospective, interventional clinical study of consecutive patients who underwent small-gauge transconjunctival pars plana vitrectomy at a single academic center. Eyes were divided into a group in which cannulae were removed over the light pipe (Group L) and a group in which cannulae were simply pulled out (Group N). The primary comparison was the comparison in requirement for suturing of sclerotomies between Groups L and N. RESULTS: Forty-eight eyes of 48 patients were included in the study (Group L: 21 eyes; Group N: 27 eyes). In Group L, 14/42 (33%) superior sclerotomies required suturing compared with 7/54 (13%) sclerotomies in Group N (P = 0.024). Superior sclerotomy leaks were also more common in Group L (28/42, 67%) compared with Group N (23/54, 43%, P = 0.024). Similarly, more eyes had hypotony after cannula removal in Group L (11/21; 52%) compared with Group N (5/27; 19%, P = 0.03). There were no differences in any of these measures when comparing fluid-filled to air- or gas-filled eyes. CONCLUSION: Removing the cannula over the light pipe results in a greater frequency of leaking, including leaking that results in hypotony or that requires suturing. The technique of cannula removal affects the risk of leakage and the risk of requiring suturing of a sclerotomy.

25-gauge vitrectomy using sulfur hexafluoride and no prone positioning for repair of macular holes.

PURPOSE: To report on the outcomes of 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy using sulfur hexafluoride and no prone positioning for repair of macular holes. METHODS: Retrospective case series of 44 consecutive patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling for repair of stages 2 to 4 idiopathic macular holes using 20% to 30% sulfur hexafluoride. No postoperative prone positioning or gas augmentation was used. RESULTS: The macular hole closure rate was 88.6%. There were no differences in the macular hole closure rates between phakic and pseudophakic patients (21 of 23 vs. 17 of 21, respectively) or among stages 2, 3, and 4 macular holes (12 of 13, 20 of 23, and 7 of 8, respectively). In eyes successfully operated on, visual acuity improved from 0.61 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) (20 of 82) preoperatively to 0.483 logMAR (20 of 61) at 1 month and 0.396 logMAR (20 of 50) at a mean final follow-up of 10.8 months. Adverse effects were elevation of intraocular pressure to >30 mmHg in 7 (13.6%) of 44 patients on the first postoperative day, postoperative retinal detachments in 2 (4.5%) of 44 patients, and progression of cataract requiring cataract surgery in 7 (30.4%) of 23 phakic patients during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Macular hole closure rates similar to those achieved using pars plana vitrectomy with perfluoropropane and prone positioning can be achieved using sutureless 25-gauge vitrectomy with sulfur hexafluoride tamponade and no prone positioning for both phakic and pseudophakic patients.

Clinical Features and Management of Subretinal Abscesses Secondary to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Endogenous Endophthalmitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical features, management, and immediate outcomes of patients with subretinal abscesses secondary to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) endogenous endophthalmitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eleven eyes of seven patients were identified by retrospective chart review. Demographics, initial presentation, examination findings, imaging, cultures, treatments, and short-term outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: Eleven eyes of seven patients presented with subretinal abscesses secondary to MRSA endogenous endophthalmitis. Four had history of recurrent MRSA infections or active soft-tissue ulceration. Six underwent vitreous tap for culture without growth. Three had positive blood cultures for MRSA. Six received empiric therapy with intravenous vancomycin, one received oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and six received intravitreal vancomycin. Consolidation of abscesses was seen within days of initial treatment. Visual outcomes were contingent on abscess location and time to initial treatment. CONCLUSION: Prompt diagnosis and systemic antibiotic therapy is paramount in the treatment of this rare presentation. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2017;48:134-142.].