[Combined anterior and posterior segment surgery]

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to review the postoperative findings in the anterior segment after primary vitrectomy performed in combination with cataract surgery.

Patients and method: In a retrospective analysis covering the period from August 2000 to March 2002, we identified 513 consecutive operations on the retina and vitreous body performed primarily to correct various retinal diseases in the ophthalmology department of the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. Concomitant cataracts present in all cases were also treated in the one session. Measurement parameters of postoperative irritation of the anterior chamber included anterior chamber cells, Tyndall effect, fibrin, intraocular pressure, and synechiae formation. Various influencing factors were compared to the measurement parameters in univariate analysis.

Results: Correlations between some influencing factors and various measurement parameters were statistically significant in univariate analysis. This was not, however, the case for any of the factors in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion: Performance of the combined operation according to our protocol does not entail any single parameter that indicates a risk for increased postoperative irritation of the anterior chamber.