Ultrasound biomicroscopy study of direct and oblique 25-gauge vitrectomy sclerotomies.

Abstract

To study 25-gauge sclerotomy healing process in vivo with ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) in direct and oblique incisions. Prospective interventional case series report. At our institution, we performed UBM studies on 53 sclerotomies during the first 30 days after 25-gauge vitrectomy, looking for conjunctival bleb development, sclerotomy healing signs, and vitreous incarceration in the wound. Echographical healing signs were completed in 77% of patients by day 15 with no differences between direct and oblique sclerotomies. By day 30, all but one sclerotomy were closed. Conjunctival blebs developed over 64% of direct sclerotomies, and 25% of oblique (P = .0059), but all resolved spontaneously by day 15. Vitreous incarceration appeared in 72% of sclerotomies. Twenty-five gauge sclerotomies heal by day 15 in most cases with no difference between direct and oblique sclerotomy construction. Conjunctival blebs developed more frequently over direct than oblique sclerotomies.