Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Comparative Study
. 2020 May;40(5):838-844.
doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000002484.

SUTURELESS CLOSURE OF 23- AND 25-GAUGE LEAKING SCLEROTOMIES WITH THE SCLERAL NEEDLING TECHNIQUE

Tina Felfeli  1 , Filiberto Altomare  1   2 , Efrem D Mandelcorn  1   3
Affiliations
Comparative Study

SUTURELESS CLOSURE OF 23- AND 25-GAUGE LEAKING SCLEROTOMIES WITH THE SCLERAL NEEDLING TECHNIQUE

Tina Felfeli et al. Retina. 2020 May.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe and evaluate the efficacy of a novel technique, scleral needling (SN), for securing 23- and 25-gauge leaking sclerotomies in microincision vitrectomy surgery.

Methods: A retrospective comparative review of consecutive cases of 23- and 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy performed by a single vitreoretinal surgeon before the introduction of the SN technique (pre-SN; November 2016 to January 2017) and after the introduction of the SN technique (post-SN; November 2017 to January 2018) was conducted. The SN technique was implemented as an alternative to suturing, using a 30-gauge needle inserted perpendicularly through the full thickness of the sclera adjacent to the scleral opening, with the needle then immediately removed and sclerotomy closure confirmed.

Results: A total of 203 eyes, 105 from pre-SN and 98 from post-SN, were included in the study. The number of eyes requiring suture closure was significantly reduced from 39% in the pre-SN group to 2% in the post-SN group (P < 0.001). The mean postoperative intraocular pressure and incidence of hypotony on Days 1 to 2, Days 3 to 20, and Days 21 to 50 was not significantly different between the pre-SN and post-SN groups. No major complications associated with the SN technique were noted during the study period.

Conclusion: The SN technique is a safe and simple method for effectively securing leaking sclerotomies in microincision vitrectomy surgery.

PubMed Disclaimer

Comment in

  • Reply.
    Felfeli T, Mandelcorn MS, Altomare F, Mandelcorn ED. Felfeli T, et al. Retina. 2020 Aug;40(8):e34-e36. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000002736. Retina. 2020. PMID: 31895091 No abstract available.
  • Correspondence.
    Sridharan P, Ramanjulu R, Shanmugam MP, Mishra DKC, Sheemar A. Sridharan P, et al. Retina. 2020 Aug;40(8):e34. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000002735. Retina. 2020. PMID: 31895094 No abstract available.

References

    1. Chen JC. Sutureless pars plana vitrectomy through self-sealing sclerotomies. Arch Ophthalmol 1996;114:1273–1275.
    1. Fujii GY, De Juan E Jr, Humayun MS, et al. Transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy system for vitreoretinal surgery. Ophthalmology 2002;109:1814–1820.
    1. Lakhanpal RR, Humayun MS, de Juan E, Lim JI. Outcomes of 140 consecutive cases of 25-gauge transconjunctival surgery for posterior segment disease. Ophthalmology 2005;112:817–824.
    1. Ibarra MS, Hermel M, Prenner JL, Hassan TS. Longer-term outcomes of transconjunctival sutureless 25-gauge vitrectomy. Am J Ophthalmol 2005;139:831–836.
    1. Chen E. 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2007;18:188–193.

LinkOut - more resources