PURPOSE: To study the difference in the amount of vitreous incarceration between conventional pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and PPV with vitreous shaving around sclerotomy sites. METHODS: A dynamic in vivo examination using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) was performed on the sclerotomy sites of 22 eyes after PPV. Patients were divided into two groups. In the study group (n = 11), the vitreous was completely shaved from the internal initial sclerotomy by cotton-tip depressed vitrectomy under coaxial illumination. In the control group (n = 11), no vitreous shaving was performed. RESULTS: Vitreous incarceration into sclerotomy sites was significantly less in the study group compared with the control group (P <0.001). No difference was seen among the three sclerotomy sites regarding vitreous incarceration within individual eyes. No difference was seen between eyes operated by right- and left-handed surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: Vitreous shaving of sclerotomy sites using depressed vitrectomy significantly reduces vitreous incarceration. This may reduce the rate of sclerotomy-related complications following PPV in selected cases.
PURPOSE: To study the difference in the amount of vitreous incarceration between conventional pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and PPV with vitreous shaving around sclerotomy sites. METHODS: A dynamic in vivo examination using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) was performed on the sclerotomy sites of 22 eyes after PPV. Patients were divided into two groups. In the study group (n = 11), the vitreous was completely shaved from the internal initial sclerotomy by cotton-tip depressed vitrectomy under coaxial illumination. In the control group (n = 11), no vitreous shaving was performed. RESULTS: Vitreous incarceration into sclerotomy sites was significantly less in the study group compared with the control group (P <0.001). No difference was seen among the three sclerotomy sites regarding vitreous incarceration within individual eyes. No difference was seen between eyes operated by right- and left-handed surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: Vitreous shaving of sclerotomy sites using depressed vitrectomy significantly reduces vitreous incarceration. This may reduce the rate of sclerotomy-related complications following PPV in selected cases.