Risk factors for epiretinal membrane in eyes with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment that received silicone oil tamponade.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study investigated the risk factors for epiretinal membrane (ERM) in eyes with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) that received silicone oil (SO) tamponade. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included 1140 patients (1140 eyes) with RRD who underwent primary vitrectomy and SO tamponade. The prevalence of ERM was estimated and possible risk factors (eg, type 2 diabetes, proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), SO tamponade time (SOTT), photocoagulation, vitreous haemorrhage, choroidal detachment, cryotherapy and retinal tear size) were analysed via multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of ERM was 12.3% (140/1140), and the accuracy of preoperative ERM diagnosis was 40.5%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that risk factors for ERM in eyes with SO tamponade included preoperative PVR (OR=4.336, 95% CI 2.533 to 7.424, p<0.001), type 2 diabetes (OR=3.996, 95% CI 2.013 to 7.932, p<0.001), photocoagulation energy (OR=1.785, 95% CI 1.306 to 2.439, p<0.001) and SOTT (OR=1.523, 95% CI 1.261 to 1.840, p<0.001). No statistically significant associations were observed between the incidence of ERM and other risk factors. Preoperative PVR showed the strongest association with risk of ERM. The risk of ERM was positively associated with SOTT, photocoagulation energy and preoperative PVR grade. CONCLUSION: In eyes with RRD that received SO tamponade, the prevalence of ERM was 12.3%, while the accuracy of preoperative ERM diagnosis was low. Preoperative PVR, type 2 diabetes, photocoagulation energy and SOTT were the main risk factors for ERM.

Nomogram for predicting non-proliferative vitreoretinopathy probability after vitrectomy in eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

AIM: To identify the risk factors for postoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and develop a nomogram for predicting postoperative PVR-free probability. METHODS: A total of 741 patients (741 eyes) diagnosed with primary RRD who underwent first surgery in the same hospital were retrospectively reviewed and randomly assigned with 521 to the training set and 220 to the validation set. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed in the training cohort to determine risk factors to construct a nomogram for predicting the 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-month postoperative PVR-free probabilities. Nomogram performance was estimated by the concordance index (C-index), calibration plot, and the area receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: A nomogram was constructed based on the preoperative PVR, silicone oil tamponade time (SOTT), photocoagulation energy (PE), retinal tear size (RTS), and hypertension. In the training set, the C-index of the nomogram was 0.896, 0.936, 0.961, and 0.972 at 3, 4, 5, and 6mo, respectively. The C-index values in the validation set were 0.860, 0.936, 0.951, and 0.965 at 3, 4, 5, and 6mo, respectively. Decision-curve analysis indicated that only the 4-, 5-, and 6-month nomograms had significant net benefits over a large threshold probabilities interval. CONCLUSION: Preoperative PVR, SOTT, PE, RTS, and hypertension are significant risk factors for postoperative PVR formation in patients with primary RRD. The proposed nomogram can effectively predict the 4-, 5-, and 6-month PVR-free probabilities after surgery and assist in making clinical decisions during follow-up.

Contrast Sensitivity Deficits and Its Structural Correlates in Fuchs Uveitis Syndrome.

Purpose: To investigate the deficits in contrast sensitivity in patients with Fuchs uveitis syndrome (FUS) and to explore the potential relationship between contrast sensitivity and ocular structure. Methods: In this prospective study, 25 patients with FUS and 30 healthy volunteers were recruited. Eyes were divided into three groups: FUS-affected eyes (AE), fellow eyes (FE), and healthy eyes. The contrast sensitivity function (CSF) of all participants was evaluated using the quick CSF (qCSF) method. Fundus photographs were collected for the analysis of refractive media, and vascular density (VD) was assessed using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Data were analyzed and compared using the generalized estimating equation (GEE). Results: The CSF of AE was significantly lower than that of FE and controls, while no significant difference was observed between FE and controls. Contrast sensitivity was negatively correlated with the grade of haze. No significant correlation was found between visual function and VDs in FUS eyes. Conclusions: We found that the CSF of FUS-affected eyes was significantly reduced, and the visual impairment was predominantly caused by the refractive media turbidity.

Outcomes of a novel bubble ultra-wide field viewing system for vitreoretinal surgery.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical outcomes and evaluate the efficacy of a novel bubble ultra-wide field viewing system for vitreoretinal surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and fifty-one eyes of 146 consecutive patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), vitreous haemorrhage originating from retinal vein occlusion (VH-RVO), epiretinal membrane (EM), macular hole (MH) or retinal detachment (RD) who underwent vitreoretinal surgery using the bubble ultra-wide field viewing system were included. METHODS: A standard phacoemulsification was performed on each patient. Core humour and mid-peripheral vitreous humour were removed using a planoconcave lens. A suitably sized bubble was infused to attach to the posterior capsule or the anterior chamber depending on the integrity of the posterior capsule. The planoconcave lens and the air bubble formed the wide-angle viewing system, through which peripheral vitrectomy was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Range of applications, field of view, model validation and complications were recorded. RESULTS: The new ultra-wide field viewing system was successfully applied in all eyes, including 34 with PDR, 28 VH-RVO, 28 EM, 25 MH and 36 RD. Peripheral vitrectomy, local or panretinal laser photocoagulation, and removal of the peripheral proliferative membrane were successfully performed while viewing through this system. Maximum peripheral retinal area observable during the procedure was positively correlated with pupil diameter. Model analysis results showed that when the pupil diameter was 6 mm, the maximum field of view was approximately 128.1- 148.0 degrees with this system. Of 142 eyes, the main intraoperative complication was iatrogenic retinal breaks (IRBs) in 8 eyes (5.3%) and posterior capsule injury by vitreous cutter during bubble removal in 6 eyes (4.2%). The postsurgery mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (0.48 ± 0.39 logMAR) was significantly improved compared with the preoperative mean BCVA (1.60 ± 1.08 logMAR, p < 0.001). No incidents of postoperative choroidal detachment, secondary glaucoma or endophthalmitis were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with lens excision or absence, vitreoretinal surgery can be successfully performed using the novel viewing system described here. The system is a safe, convenient and economical ultra-wide field viewing system with a wide range of applications.

[Repair of cervicofacial scar by forehead expansive skin flap double-pedicled with superficial temporal vessels].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical efficacy of using forehead expansive skin flap double-pedicled with superficial temporal vessels for repairing male cervicofacial scar. METHODS: From July 2005 to June 2009, 13 male patients with an average age of 27 years old (range: 21 - 38) were operated by the above method. The scar-repairing area was from 14 cm × 5 cm to 32 cm × 15 cm. The procedure was carried out in three stages. Firstly, ultrasound Doppler was used to detect and mark the location and orientation of superficial temporal artery. A proper cavity was created under the forehead muscle and then the appropriate expander embedded through the scalp incision. The expander was expanded first by injecting normal saline at 1 or 2 weeks post-operation. After that, the injection was repeated by 3 or 5 days. The volume ratio of injection to expander was (1.5-3.5):1. Secondly the forehead expansive skin flap was designed with proper hair follicle scalp pedicled by bilateral superficial temporal artery when the expansion was completed. After removal of the expander, the rectangle expansive skin flap with hair follicle scalp was transferred through the double pedicle. The cervicofacial scar was excised according to the size of the transferred expansive skin flap (25 cm × 6 cm to 32 cm × 9 cm). And the flap was adjusted with hair follicle scalp to the middle of the chin area in order to obtain the normal beard appearance. Donor site were closed directly. Thirdly, the pedicle skin flap were cut and restored after one month. RESULTS: The volume expanded for each expander ranged from 420 to 800 ml (mean: 660). The average expansion time was 4 months (range: 3 - 5). All flaps survived well. Donor site were closed directly. Both chin and beard looked normal. CONCLUSIONS: Repairing hypertrophic scar and reconstructing beard in cervicofacial area with forehead expansive skin flap pedicled by bilateral superficial temporal artery is a valuable and safe method. The donor site is scarless. And the reconstructed chin and beard are normal both functionally and aesthetically.

[Change in plasma brain natriuretic peptide and its clinical significance in burn patients after delayed fluid resuscitation of shock].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the early change in plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level in burn patients with long delayed fluid resuscitation of burn shock and its clinical significance. METHODS: Thirty-six burn patients with second and third degree of burn covering 32%-92% total body surface area were enrolled for the study, among them 10 patients were complicated with serious heart failure (heart failure group), and 26 patients rallied from shock after delayed fluid resuscitation without heart failure (stable group). The level of plasma BNP, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB), and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) were determined at admission and 3 hours after hospitalization, and 24, 48, 72, 168 hours after the injury in both groups with electrochemiluminescence (ECL). RESULTS: Compared with stable group, the plasma BNP level (ng/L) of heart failure group at 3 hours after hospitalization, and 24, 48, 72 hours after the burn injury increased significantly (3 hours after hospitalization: 1 521.38+/-121.11 vs. 391.36+/-63.27, 24 hours after burn: 2 516.86+/-193.25 vs. 360.79+/-146.56, 48 hours after burn: 1 587.76+/-169.23 vs. 398.92+/-77.46, 72 hours after burn: 974.45+/-166.33 vs. 283.43+/-68.15, all P<0.01), the level of LVEF lowered significantly (3 hours after hospitalization : 0.33+/-0.03 vs. 0.58+/-0.09, 24 hours after burn: 0.36+/-0.09 vs. 0.60+/-0.10, 48 hours after burn: 0.35+/-0.08 vs. 0.62+/-0.11, 72 hours after burn: 0.39+/-0.10 vs. 0.64+/-0.10, all P<0.05). The levels of LDH (micromolxs(-1) xL(-1)) in stable group were 2.87+/-0.50 at admission, 3.02+/-0.43 3 hours after hospitalization, 4.02+/-0.87 24 hours after burn, 6.90+/-0.87 48 hours after burn, 3.64+/-0.75 72 hours after burn, 2.67+/-0.45 168 hours after burn while in heart failure group, they were 2.97+/-1.40, 3.84+/-0.37, 4.29+/-0.45, 8.50+/-0.38, 3.84+/-0.62, 2.30+/-0.38, respectively; and CK-MB (U/L) in stable group were 59.12+/-13.75 at admission, 70.39+/-10.72 3 hours after hospitalization, 79.29+/-17.27 24 hours after burn, 67.44+/-12.77 48 hours after burn, 30.28+/-7.13 72 hours after burn, 21.44+/-3.15 168 hours after burn while in heart failure group, they were 65.76+/-16.38, 81.46+/-7.92, 86.43+/-14.19, 72.53+/-11.27, 36.39+/-6.18, 22.85+/-7.26, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in changes in both LDH and CK-MB between two groups (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Determination of the plasma BNP is a simple and useful method in detecting heart failure during resuscitation of shock after a serious burn injury.

[Comparison of visual acuity in pseudophakic eyes with multifocal intraocular lens versus fellow eyes with clear lens].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the visual acuity and subjective satisfaction of different aged monocular cataract patients who were implanted with ReSTOR multifocal intraocular lens (MIOL). METHODS: Prospective comparative study: the objects are 24 cases of monocular cataract patients who consecutively received phacoemulsification and implantation of ReSTOR MIOL. The patients were divided into two groups by age: the presbyopic group has 17 cases with age ≥ 45 years, the non-presbyopic group has 7 cases with ages < 45 years. Research parameters: uncorrected and corrected distance (4 m), intermediate (80 cm, 60 cm), and near visual acuity; contrast sensitivity (CS); and questionnaire survey. All data were statistically analyzed with rank sum test. RESULTS: Among presbyopia patients, the near vision of the eyes implanted with ReSTOR MIOL is better than that of the contralateral eyes with clear lens (Z = 2.864, Z = 2.911;P = 0.004), whereas the distance and intermediate vision and the CS results show no significant differences compared to that of contralateral eyes with clear lens (Z = 0.183 - 1.417, P = 0.855 - 0.156); the subjective satisfactions are 7 to 10 points with 70.6% (12/17) patients scoring higher than 9 points; and the spectacle-independent rate among presbyopia patients is 58.8% (10/17). In non-presbyopic group, the near and intermediate visions of ReSTOR MIOL implanted eyes are lower than that of the contralateral eyes with clear lens (Z = 2.197 - 2.371;P = 0.028 - 0.018); CS results of MIOL implanted eyes are also generally lower than that of the contralateral eyes, and the difference between CSs of bilateral eyes under night glare mode (3 cd/m(2)+28 Lux) with low spatial frequency (1.5 c/d) is statistically significant (Z = 1.997, P = 0.046); the subjective satisfactions are 6 to 9 points with 14.3% (1/7) patients scoring higher than 9 points; the spectacle-independent rate of both eyes is 85.7% (6/7). CONCLUSIONS: The monocular cataract patients with presbyopia are suitable for implantation of ReSTOR MIOL, because their near visual acuity of ReSTOR MIOL implanted eyes is better than that of the contralateral clear lens eyes with higher subjective satisfaction and without decrease in distance and intermediate visions and CS. For non-presbyopic young patients with monocular cataracts, the near and intermediate visions of MIOL implanted eyes are lower than that of the contralateral clear lens eyes and with lower subjective satisfaction (compared to that of presbyopic patients), though the distance visions are similar. Therefore, although ReSTOR MIOL can be implanted in non-presbyopic group, a more detailed preoperative communication with these patients is needed.

[Short-term observation of Acrysof Toric intraocular lens for correction of preoperative astigmatism in patients having cataract surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of Toric intraocular lens (IOL) for correction of preoperative astigmatism in patients having cataract phacoemulsification. METHODS: It was a prospective case series study. Seventy-one eyes (60 patients) had implantation of Acrysof Toric IOL. logMAR uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), preexisting corneal astigmatism, residual refractive sphere and cylinder, and toric IOL axis were measured. Four residual astigmatism models were compared according to their axis postoperatively: neutral, against-the-rule (ATR, 180 ± 15 degrees), with-the-rule (WTR, 90 ± 15 degrees) and oblique (OB, 45/135 ± 30 degrees). Rank sum test and Friedman test was used to analyze these data. RESULTS: Three months postoperatively, the median distant UCVA increased significantly from 0.80 to 0.20, residual refractive astigmatism decreased significantly from 2.02 D to 0.67 D. The mean Toric IOL axis rotation was 1.63 ± 1.83 degrees, with rotation less than 5.00 degrees in 96% of eyes. For uncorrected near visual acuity, group ATR fared the best results and the difference between group ATR and groups WTR, neutral and OB was statistically significant. For UCVA, there was no statistically significant difference between group ATR and groups neutral and OB. CONCLUSIONS: Acrysof Toric IOL implantation is a predictable, safe and effective method to correct preexisting corneal astigmatism in patients having cataract phacoemulsification. A pseudophakic eye after Acrysof Toric IOL implantation with low residual ATR myopic astigmatism is beneficial for obtaining a better uncorrected near and distant visual acuities.

[Relative factors of retinal detachment after phacoemulsification cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and related factors of retinal detachment (RD) after phacoemulsification cataract extraction and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in an unselected patient group. METHODS: This retrospective review was comprised of 10 076 cataract patients (13 625 eyes) who had phacoemulsification cataract extraction and IOL implantation from December 1, 1998 to September 30, 2008. The patients were of different ages, gender, left or right eye and different type of cataracts. The incidence of postoperative RD was assessed and the relative risk factors were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The average age was 67.22 +/- 15.10 years old with 4439 males and 5637 females. The difference between the numbers of men and women was statistically significant (chi(2) = 142.44, P < 0.01). A total of 6701 left eyes and 6924 right eyes showed no significant difference (chi(2) = 3.65, P = 0.056). And 65.91% of these eyes were age-related cataract. During the post-operation observation period, 32 eyes of RD in 32 patients were observed from 10 days to 74 months post-operation. The ratio was 0.32% with an estimated risk (Kaplan-Meier) of 0.47% at 74 months. These results confirmed that myopia and increased axial length were significantly associated with RD (chi(2) = 14.55, P < 0.001) and recognized risk factors for RD such as high myopia, posterior capsular bag rupture and Nd: YAG capsulotomy. Among these 32 eyes, 31 eyes had one successful retina re-attaching operation (90.32%) and two eyes were given up because of post-operative relapse. CONCLUSION: The incidence of RD increases after phacoemulsification cataract extraction and IOL implantation in an unselected patient group. Hypermyopia, posterior capsular bag rupture and Nd: YAG capsulotomy are possible risk factors of the RD.

Foveal microstructure and visual outcomes of myopic macular hole surgery with or without the inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique on the macular hole (MH) closure and foveal microstructure recovery of patients with highly myopic MH. METHODS: Pars plana vitrectomy and gas tamponade with the inverted ILM flap technique (19 eyes) or with the ILM peeling technique (21 eyes) were performed in patients with highly myopic MH with or without retinal detachment. The rate of MH closure and retinal reattachment, the reconstructive anatomical change of the foveal microstructure and the best-corrected visual acuities (BCVA) of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The anatomic closure rate was statistically significantly higher in the inverted group (100%) than in the peeling group (66.7%; p=0.009). All eyes with MH retinal detachment had successful retinal reattachment in these two groups. However, the rate of the external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (EZ) (p=0.020), as well as gliosis (p=0.049) in macular area, detected by OCT, was significantly greater in the inverted group than in the peeling group. The postoperative BCVA was significantly better in the eyes with ELM, EZ (p=0.031) and gliosis (p=0.008), but without hyperreflective foci (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that the inverted ILM flap technique has better efficacy than the ILM peeling technique for patients with myopic MH in closure rate, foveal microstructure and postoperative BCVA.

Chondrosarcoma of the Osseous Spine Treated by Surgery With or Without Radiotherapy: A Propensity Score Matched and Grade/Stage-stratified Study.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a longitudinal cohort study. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to investigate the outcomes of surgery with or without radiotherapy during treatment of patients with chondrosarcoma of the osseous spine. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Chondrosarcoma is a primary spinal malignant tumor; chemotherapy and radiotherapy (RT) are generally unsuccessful, and thus, the main treatment of choice is complete en bloc resection. However, even with complete resection, these patients still have a significant rate of recurrence, morbidity, and mortality. Although there have been reports that the addition of RT to surgery may lead to increased survival and better cancer control, the evidence of the efficacy of RT remains controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with chondrosarcoma who are then treated by surgery alone or surgery+RT were identified and extracted from the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database (1973-2013). Propensity score matched (PSM) analysis was performed to balance patient characteristics between surgery alone and surgery+RT groups. Patients with a different grade and stage were stratified and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 778 patients with chondrosarcoma of the osseous spine treated by surgery alone or surgery+RT were extracted from the SEER database. Before PSM, the unadjusted Kaplan-Meier curve and bivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models showed that the surgery alone group had higher chondrosarcoma cancer-specific survival and overall survival than the surgery+RT group (both P<0.001), while the difference was attenuated after PSM. Stratified analysis found that RT was worse for low-grade chondrosarcoma patients and had a better trend for high-grade chondrosarcoma patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our present study suggest that low-grade chondrosarcoma of the osseous spine is resistant to RT, while high-grade chondrosarcoma patients had a better trend with RT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

[Repair of scars in submaxillary region using expanded forehead axial flaps with fascia pedicles carrying bilateral frontal branches of superficial temporal artery and vein].

OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility of applying expanded forehead axial flaps with fascia pedicles carrying bilateral frontal branches of superficial temporal artery and vein (expanded forehead axial flap with double pedicles in brief, EFAF-DP) in repairing scars in submaxillary region. METHODS: Sixteen patients with mandibular scars hospitalized in Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of the First Hospital Affiliated to Fuzhou General Hospital in Nanjing Military Area Command from July 2005 to December 2009 were repaired with EFAF-DP. The operation consisted of 3 stages. Before operation, the location and course of superficial temporal arteries and veins (STAV) and their frontal and parietal branches were identified with Ultrasonic Doppler blood flow detector. In stage I, STAV were dissected from the frontalis muscle as a pedicle to form a skin soft tissue space to hold the dilator of a proper size. In stage II, after gradual dilation by repeated filling with saline, the dilator was removed. EFAF-DP was dissected to repair mandibular scar. Donor site was closed with sutures. In stage III, flap pedicles were divided and pruned. RESULTS: Flap sizes ranged from 25 cm × 6 cm to 33 cm × 16 cm. The duration of dilation was 3-5 months, with 3.6 months in average. Ten patients underwent the operation of EFAF-DP transplantation and cervical skin dilatation. All flaps survived with healing of wounds. Disorder of venous return at the distal end of one flap was seen after second stage surgery, and it was corrected after comprehensive treatment including relieving spasm and improving venous return. Donor site wounds healed with normally grown hair without cicatricial alopecia along the hairline. Few hairs grew around mandible in one female patient out of the three (no hair grew on flaps of other two patients). This female patient and two male patients requesting for beard plasty received laser depilation treatment 1 to 3 months after discharge, with good result. Other male patients received no special treatment for their beard, and they shaped their beard with shaver. Sixteen patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months, and the shape of the flaps and beard (excluding female patients) were satisfactory with good appearance, satisfactory skin color and texture. The mobility of neck was obviously improved. CONCLUSIONS: EFAF-DP provides bigger areas of a thin flap besides promoting vascularization of new vessels of flap. Extra expanded skin can be directly sutured at the fringe of hairline, which makes skin grafting unnecessary, and decreases the incidence of secondary deformity in donor sites. Some hair carried by the flaps can be directly used for beard reconstruction after rotation to help the male patients have a better appearance.