Primary 23 Gauge Transconjunctival Sutureless Vitrectomy With Air Tamponade for Simple Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the surgical outcomes of primary 23-gauge (23G) transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) with air tamponade in patients with idiopathic simple rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Methods: A chart review of 38 eyes with idiopathic simple RRD which underwent primary 23G TSV with air tamponade and without prone positioning by a single vitreoretinal surgeon was retrospectively performed. All cases were followed up for a minimum of 3 months after the operation. Results: The primary anatomical success rate was 94.7% (36/38 eyes). Preoperative mean logMAR (Snellen) best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.81 ± 0.13 and improved to 0.63 ± 0.37 and 0.48 ± 0.37 at postoperative 1 week and 3 months (p < 0.05), respectively. The mean 21.35% amount of air bubble remained in the vitreous cavity at postoperative 1 week and the residual air bubble was completely absorbed at postoperative 2 weeks. Complications were sclerotomy site leakage (1 eye), cataract (3 eyes), vitreous hemorrhage (1 eye), epiretinal membrane (2 eyes) and increased intraocular pressure (3 eyes). Conclusions: The use of 23G TSV with air tamponade in cases with idiopathic simple RRD may be an effective and safe surgical technique.