Purpose: To investigate the short-term outcomes of 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in 18 cases of complicated retinal detachment requiring silicone oil tamponade.
Methods: In this retrospective noncomparative review, the primary outcome measures included postoperative anatomical status, preoperative and postoperative visual acuity and intraocular pressure (IOP), cataract progression, development of keratopathy, and other complications. The average follow-up was 5 months (142 days).
Results: Thirteen (72.2%) of 18 patients had attachment postoperatively. There was no difference between preoperative visual acuity and visual acuity at the end of follow-up (P = 0.851). One patient (5.6%) who underwent concomitant penetrating keratoplasty had hypotony (IOP, <6 mmHg) postoperatively and until the end of follow-up. Ocular hypertension in two patients was controlled with antiglaucoma drops. Five (55.6%) of 9 patients who were initially phakic underwent cataract extraction or had documented cataract progression. There were no cases of keratopathy or endophthalmitis. Four patients had intraocular or retinal hemorrhage. Two patients developed significant macular epiretinal membranes, and one developed a parafoveal hole.
Conclusions: Sutureless 25-gauge PPV with silicone oil is a relatively safe and comparable alternative to 20-gauge PPV with silicone oil for repair of complicated retinal detachment.