A novel technique for self-sealing, wedge-shaped pars XXXX and its features in ultrasound biomicroscopy and clinical outcome.

@entity2444 @entity1 @entity227 @entity13949
PURPOSE: To investigate a new type of self-sealing pars @entity2444 clinically and by means of ultrasound biomicroscopy and to compare the outcome with conventionally sutured sclerotomies. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial. METHODS: Twenty-one @entity1 underwent pars plana vitrectomy either with (control group) or without suturing (study group) at the Institute of Ophthalmology, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, The Netherlands, between January 1 and March 31, 2002. One day and 6 to 8 weeks postoperatively, the sclerotomy sites were studied by clinical examination and ultrasound biomicroscopy. Results were graded according to verbal descriptor scales. RESULTS: The study included 21 @entity1 scheduled for pars plana vitrectomy of one eye. Mean follow-up time was 6.5 weeks (range, 6-8). Three @entity1 were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining @entity1 , 12 had self-sealing @entity13949 and six were conventionally operated. No intraoperative complications occurred in any @entity1 and no @entity227 was observed. On the first day after surgery there was significantly more scleral dehiscence in the control group (P =.012). This divergence disappeared during the follow-up period. All other differences noticed were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our novel technique of sutureless wedge-shaped sclerotomy allows the creation of simple, reliable, and self-sealing pars plana openings. Clinical examination and assessment by ultrasound biomicroscopy showed results to be at least as safe as conventionally sutured sclerotomies. This new method allows stable intraoperative ocular pressure conditions and seems promising.
