Combining Cataract Surgery with 25-Gauge High-Speed Pars Plana Vitrectomy: Results from a Retrospective Study

Abstract

To report postoperative complications in eyes that underwent 25-gauge high-speed pars plana vitrectomy (25G HS-PPV) alone or combined with phaco-vitrectomy surgery for epiretinal membrane, vitreomacular traction, or macular hole. Retrospective, interventional case series. A total of 565 eyes were included in this study of vitreoretinal surgery performed from April 2011 to June 2012 by a single surgeon. Eyes were divided into 2 groups: group A included eyes that underwent phacoemulsification combined with 25G HS-PPV (348 eyes), and group B included pseudophakic eyes that underwent 25G HS-PPV alone (217 eyes). Follow-up was from a minimum of 4 months to a maximum of 14 months. To evaluate and statistically compare the postoperative complications of these 2 surgical groups. During the follow-up, retinal detachment (RD) developed in 10 eyes (1.77%): 4 in group A and 6 in group B. Cystoid macular edema (CME) occurred in 5 eyes (0.87%): 3 in group A and 2 in group B. In 1 eye in group A, a dislocation in the anterior chamber of the posterior chamber intraocular lens was observed (0.18%). The statistical analysis, evaluated by the Fisher exact test, did not show a significant postoperative difference between these 2 surgical groups for RD (P= 0.19) or CME (P= 1.00). The combination of cataract or lens phacoemulsification with 25G HS-PPV for vitreomacular diseases did not result in an increase in postoperative complications compared with 25G HS-PPV alone performed in pseudophakic eyes.