Influence of sclerotomy use on vitreous incarceration in an experimental model of vitrectomized eye

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of sclerotomy use during vitrectomy (vitreous cutter, illumination probe, or infusion-line entrance) on postoperative vitreous incarceration using an experimental model of vitrectomized eye. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental, randomized, and observer-masked study in which 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy was performed in cadaveric pig eyes. Postoperative incisional vitreous entrapment was evaluated by direct visualization. No vitreous incarceration was classified as grade 0 (G0), thin vitreous entrapment was classified as grade 1 (G1), and thick vitreous strands as grade 2 (G2). RESULTS: A total of 46 eyes were included. Vitreous incarceration was detected in 91.3% (43.5% G1, 47.8% G2) of the sclerotomies used by the vitreous cutter probe, 95.7% (45.7% G1, 50% G2) of the illumination-pipe entrances, and 93.5% (45.7% G1, 47.8% G2) of the infusion-line incisions. No statistical differences were found when comparing incisional vitreous incarceration after vitrectomy according to sclerotomy use. CONCLUSION: Different manipulation of the sclerotomies, depending on their use, does not seem to influence postvitrectomy vitreous entrapment in our experimental model.